Opinions and suggestions of the stakeholders involved in the employment process of individuals with intellectual disabilities for the employment process

The objective of this study is to evaluate the current employment policies, vocational training provided in vocational training centers, job placement process and the occupational life for individuals with intellectual disabilities by teachers, school administrators, parents, employers and individuals with intellectual disabilities who are the stakeholders involved in this process, and to determine their suggestions for the development of the process. The study was carried out in Eskişehir province with 40 participants including 10 teachers, five school administrators, nine parents, eight employers and eight individuals with intellectual disabilities. The study was designed as a descriptive study based on the qualitative research approach. The research data were obtained through semi-structured interviews. Upon analyzing the research findings, it was seen that school administrators, employers, and individuals with intellectual disabilities expressed large numbers of positive opinions and teachers expressed negative opinions on vocational training. Almost all stakeholders proposed to increase the number and diversity of workshops within the context of the development of vocational training. Although teachers and school administrators stated that they were involved in the job placement process by guiding the process, parents and employers expressed that they were not involved in the process. Stakeholders stated that İŞKUR (Turkish Employment Agency) should play a more active role in the process for the improvement of the job placement process. It is indicated that the positive and negative situations faced by individuals with intellectual disabilities in their occupational life are customer-related, and it is considered that negative situations can be prevented by the studies of raising the awareness of the public. Within the context of increasing employment, almost all subgroups state that private sector should be involved in the process by providing employment. The state is proposed to increase penalties and incentives.