Strategies for supporting disability-inclusive employment in the future of work

Purpose: The world of work is rapidly changing and is expected to create new challenges and opportunities for young adults living with disabilities. This study aimed to identify strategies that might enhance inclusion for young people with disabilities as they navigate the future of work. Methods: Two survey rounds informed by a Delphi approach were completed by 125 participants that included subject matter experts and individuals with lived expertise of a disability. In the first survey, participants were asked about dimensions of the future of work that could affect the employment of young adults living with disabilities and related workplace, community-based, and policy supports that might enhance disability employment inclusion. In the second survey, participants reviewed strategies suggested to promote inclusion in the future of work and ranked them based on their potential impact in supporting the employment of young adults living with disabilities. Results: Six specific challenge areas in the future of work for young adults with disabilities were identified and included the impact of digital technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) in human resource decision-making, digital globalization, populism and attitudes toward workplace inclusivity, climate change, and external shocks accelerating the pace of change. Top-ranked strategies spanned workplace, social policy, and educational settings and involved delivering lifelong skill-building initiatives, enforcing minimum accessibility standards, enhancing employer disability confidence, and protecting employment rights internationally. Conclusion: Strategies identified in this study provide solutions to enhance employment inclusion in the future of work. Findings may be utilized by policymakers, employers, and employment service providers as considerations in the design of employment policies and programs for young adults with disabilities that may sustain employment in a shifting work landscape.