Future-focused job accommodation practices for the school-to-work transition

Reasons for the study

The future of work is characterized by diverse social, technological, economic, environmental and political changes that are expected to disrupt every industry, transform working conditions and affect the types and availability of jobs. Young people with disabilities who are transitioning from school to work are especially vulnerable to the complex barriers posed by a rapidly changing labour market.

Job accommodations are essential for young people with disabilities to find and sustain employment and career advancement during the school-to-work transition. However, a recent survey of young people with disabilities in Canada found that most reported barriers to accessing job accommodations. Difficulties faced by young people during the school-to-work transition can have a lasting effect and contribute to adverse labour market outcomes that extend across one's working life. The future of work may create unique challenges for young people with disabilities that require innovative job accommodations and workplace supports.

Objectives of the study

  • Using a novel Delphi methodology, administer two survey rounds to young people with disabilities, policy-makers, disability employment counsellors, labour market experts and futurists to reach consensus on the best strategies to ensure success of young people with disabilities in the future of work
  • Better understand the emerging barriers that young people with disabilities could face in accessing needed job accommodations within the changing world of work
  • Generate future-oriented and proactive evidence regarding the school-to-work transition of young people with disabilities and advance knowledge of job accommodation practices

Target audience

The future-oriented and proactive evidence generated by this project on the school-to-work transition for young people with disabilities and their needed accommodations will be of value to employers, educators, employment service providers, policy-makers, and young adults with disabilities and their families.

Related research summaries

Project status

Ongoing

Research team

Collaborators and partners

Abilities Centre
Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work
National Educational Association for Disabled Students

Funded by

Accessibility Standards Canada (Government of Canada)