Improving Employment Outcomes for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: My ROAD
Work is more than a paycheck—it gives people structure, purpose, and a sense of accomplishment. Supported employment helps people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD), including those with the most extensive support needs, access the individualized supports they need to be successful at work. Yet supported employment providers sometimes find it hard to fully embrace the dignity of risk in the workplace.
Dignity of risk in employment emphasizes that all workers, including those with I/DD, should have the opportunity to self-direct their employment journey, as they navigate workplace challenges and build skills that support long-term professional growth.
My Risk for Opportunity, Autonomy, and Dignity (My ROAD) to Employment
For the My ROAD to Employment project, AIR staff will work with people with I/DD, supported employment providers, and employers across the country to strengthen workplace practices and create practical tools to put dignity of risk into action.
My ability to work is often judged based on one interaction. People see me and decide what I can and can’t do. I just want the same chance as everyone else to prove what I can do.
- Christopher Worth, Project Co-Researcher, University of Missouri St. Louis
The project includes three phases:
Phase 1: Conduct a national survey and case studies with three supported employment providers to identify what factors influence the implementation of dignity of risk at work.
Phase 2: Develop and test key parts of My ROAD to Employment, an intervention to help supported employment providers put dignity of risk into action.
Phase 3: Pilot My ROAD to Employment with three supported employment providers to evaluate feasibility and acceptability.
The project is supported by partners from TASH, the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals, the University of Arkansas, the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and The Ohio State University. An Empowerment Advisory Board will bring together people with I/DD, family members, supported employment providers, and researchers to guide all project activities.
