DOES A MULTI-MEDIA PROGRAM ENHANCE JOB MATCHING FOR A POPULATION WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES? A SOCIAL VALIDITY STUDY
Date
2017
Authors
Michaud, Kim M.
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Abstract
This dissertation describes a mixed method design study on the social validity of a multi- media job search tool, the YES tool, at a four-year Comprehensive Transition Program at an East Coast University. The participants included twelve students, randomly selected from those who, with their parents' assent, agreed to volunteer for this study during the Orientation Weekend. There were three students selected from each of the four years of the Program. The students' parents, the Employment Administrators (including the Director), the Work Support staff, the first-year first semester Employment Instructors, and some of the General staff were also participants. Likert scale questionnaires, frequencies of observed behaviors were used to provide the quantitative data; semi- structured interviews were used to elicit the qualitative data. The participants found the use of the YES job search tool to be socially valid for this program. The goal of the tool, to provide job choices through video presentations, and then match those with the user's aptitudes, was fund to be important. The procedures to utilize the tool were found to be acceptable: (a) inexpensive, (b) easy to use, and (c) interesting. The results of the job profiles were found to be effective, producing new possibilities, and indicating where more training or accommodations might be needed.
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Keywords
Special education, Vocational education, Developmental disability, Employment, ID/DD employment, Intellectual disability, Job matching