Quality of Life Outcomes of Supported Employment

This paper reports on the findings of a qualitative study of supported employment. The purpose of the study was to trace the process whereby people with a developmental handicap entered supported employment and became employed in regular jobs, and to consider the quality of life of those individuals. The quality of life of all participants was considerably enhanced as a result of the supported employment experience. The study also identified several problem areas and strategies for improving supported employment, particularly with respect to providing unobtrusive support in the workplace and facilitating social integration of the employee.