Employment or economic success: The experience of individuals with disabilities in transition from school to work

Abstract

This research explores the mediating effects of severity of disability on the employment outcomes of participants with disabilities, taking into account their perception of interest-job match. Participants were 115 high school students with disabilities who took part in an intensive school-to-work transition program that explored occupational interests in relation-to-work opportunities. Results of a 1-way analysis of covariance indicated that severity of disability had a significant effect on the employment outcomes of participants despite interest-job matching. Although participants experienced positive employment outcomes in terms of job entry, these outcomes may not necessarily translate into higher earnings. © 2008 by the American Counseling Association. All rights reserved.