Coworkers' views and suggestions about working life of individuals with intellectual disability

The aim of this study was to determine coworkers' views and suggestions about working life of indivuduals with intellectual disability in workplaces which supported employment model had been implemented. The research was designed by phenomenological approach from qualitative research methods. The data were collected from 18 coworkers that worked with individuals with intellectual disability through semi-structured interviews. At the end of the study it was reported that individuals with intellectual disability didn't work in typical conditions and their working hours and professional roles differentiated from the ones of coworkers who showed typical development. Participants explained that these differences affected career development of individual with intellectual disability negatively. Participants' views showed that although workers who showed typical development made friendship with each other, they saw the worker with intellectual disability as only coworker. According to the participants; while individuals with intellectual disability had adequate occupational skills, they needed support for employability skills. Besides; the participants reported that the their biggest problem about process was that they couldn't communicate with individual with intellectual disability and reach consultancy service in problematic situations regularly. Participants views indicated that coworkers provided social and occupational support for the worker with intellectual disability. Finally participants suggested that jobs for individuals with intellectual disability should be varied; they should be employed appropriately for their interest and abilities and; employability skills should be mainly included in vocational training for individuals with intellectual disability.