Quality of work life from the perspective of the worker with developmental disabilities: A qualitative study

Workers with developmental disabilities have recently entered the work force as a result of human service agency efforts to integrate these individuals with their non-disabled peers. Much of the integration efforts have occurred without the input of those individuals with developmental disabilities. Research completed regarding the work lives of the worker with developmental disabilities has focused mainly on wages and social integration. The majority of research data was collected from individuals other than the workers with developmental disabilities themselves. In order to effectively learn what is of importance to the worker with developmental disabilities, interviews with these individuals needed to be conducted. As suggested by others who have conducted research in the field of developmental disabilities, a qualitative research approach was used to obtain data. Quality of Work Life criteria established for non-disabled workers was used as a guide throughout the study. The data obtained through this study indicated that the Quality of Work Life improved for the participants once they left sheltered employment and were employed in integrated employment sites with non-disabled peers. Of importance to the participants was not only wages and having the opportunity to be with non-disabled peers, but also the opportunity to complete a variety of job tasks, keeping busy throughout their work day, and having some autonomy on the job. The participants also had an imbalance between their work and non-work time, most wanting the opportunity to work more hours per week. In addition, as a result of experiencing success in the work place, the participants began to identify with their non-disabled co-workers rather than their peers who still were employed at the sheltered workshops