Policy and Practice Initiatives in High-Performing States That Facilitate Quality Employment Outcomes for Persons With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience poor rates of competitive integrated employment (CIE). Understanding what policies and practices are used in high-performing states to promote CIE outcomes can help guide other states in how to allocate attention and resources. We used a Delphi method to survey policy and policy advocates in states with high rates of CIE for people with IDD to determine state and federal-level policies and practices that serve as facilitators and barriers to CIE outcomes within each state. Participating states included Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Vermont. The findings from this study pointed to several facilitators of CIE within these high-performing states, including those related to state policy implementation, state changes in service delivery, employer supports, and flexibility and collaboration among disability agency leaders. Findings also identified several barriers to CIE related to a lack of support for policy implementation, access to services, stakeholder involvement, service provision, disability stigma, transportation, and employer knowledge. Implications for future research, policy, and practice are discussed.