2016 Annual Conference

Employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities are limited. As a result, a new form of employment for this population is emerging. Small businesses and micro-enterprises focused on employing these individuals are being developed across the nation. The needs of the adult learners creating this type employment are unique because available resources focus on supporting a neurotypical workforce.

Faculty and students from academic institutions, workforce professionals, agency specialists that support employment of people with disabilities, K-12 teachers, and curriculum developers are the target audience for this session.

Individuals with developmental disabilities are unemployed at an alarming rate. To combat “graduating to the couch” as a transition outcome, many parents are developing micro-enterprises and small businesses to employ their adult children. These new business owners have limited experience or education in developing business plans, supervising employees with disabilities, or in personnel management. As this employment may be the only opportunity for these individuals to have meaningful daily activities and inclusion in the community, providing educational support to these entrepreneurs is significant. There is currently no infrastructure to support parents as entrepreneurs as they create employment opportunities. Results of an IRB-approved needs assessment was conducted to begin the process of gathering information to be used to create programming and resources for the community which will be presented and implications suggested.