Technology use by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to support employment activities: A single-subject design meta analysis

• Published in: Journal of vocational rehabilitation Vol. 24; no. 2; pp. 81 - 86
• Main Authors: Wehmeyer, Michael L., Palmer, Susan B., Smith, Sean J., Parent, Wendy, Davies, Daniel K., Stock, Steven
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.01.2006
• Subjects: mental retardation; intellectual disabilities; employment outcomes; Technology; meta analysis
• ISSN: 1052-2263; 1878-6316
• DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2006-00318

Objectives: Technology has the potential to improve employment and rehabilitation related outcomes for persons with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of technology use on employment-related outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Study design: A comprehensive search of the literature pertaining to technology use by people with intellectual disabilities was conducted, and a single-subject design meta analysis was conducted for a subset of those studies, which focused on employment and rehabilitation related outcomes. Results: The use of technology to promote outcomes in this area was shown to be generally effective, in particular when universal design features were addressed. Conclusions: Technology has the potential to enable people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to achieve more positive employment and rehabilitation outcomes. It is important to focus on universal design features important to persons with cognitive disabilities, and there is a need for more research in this area.