Rethinking work inclusion for people with intellectual disability

During a period of three years (2018-2020) the Institute of Social Education at The Arctic University of Norway (UiT) will conduct a research project where the primary objective is to develop research-based knowledge relevant to strengthen competencies in work inclusion for people with intellectual disability. The project “Rethinking work inclusion for people with intellectual disability” is funded by the Norwegian Research council. Collaboration partners are NTNU, HINN (Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences), HSN (The university college of Southeast-Norway) and the University of Iceland. The project consist of four work packages using different methods and exploring work inclusion from different perspectives. The main research question is: How can work inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities be improved?

The primary objective of this project is to develop research-based knowledge relevant to strengthen competencies in work inclusion for people with intellectual disability. Knowledge will be generated using several methods in collaboration between people with intellectual disabilities, academic staff and students in the bachelor program in Social Education, and service providers, employers and facilitators in relevant workplaces (daycentres, sheltered workshops, supported employment, ordinary workplaces and social enterprises). 

The main research question is: How can work inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities be improved? To answer the main research question we have developed four secondary research questions, linked to four interrelated work packages. We will develop knowledge about “how to do” work inclusion, based on people with IDD´s own experiences and meanings. By work inclusion we refer to different kinds of work activities in ordinary labour market.During a period of three years (2018-2020) the Institute of Social Education at The Arctic University of Norway (UiT) will conduct a research project where the primary objective is to develop research-based knowledge relevant to strengthen competencies in work inclusion for people with intellectual disability. The project “Rethinking work inclusion for people with intellectual disability” is funded by the Norwegian Research council. Collaboration partners are NTNU, HINN (Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences), HSN (The university college of Southeast-Norway) and the University of Iceland. The project consist of four work packages using different methods and exploring work inclusion from different perspectives.

To answer the research questions we have designed four work packages containing operationalized research questions and different methods. The work packages complete each other and will provide the necessary data material. To collect data, we will use a mixture of different qualitative and quantitative methods as individual interview, photo elicitation interview, observation, case study and a survey. Choice of method is appropriate to the project´s research questions and contribute to a broader and deeper understanding of our research questions. Qualitative method gives us deeper knowledge of how people with IDD themselves, service providers and employers experience work and work inclusion. Further, we can obtain a deeper understanding of the work inclusion processes at different arenas. When doing individual interviews we´ll use a semi-structural interview approach, with thematic interview guides constantly being revised as we get deeper insight in the field as the project progress (Oliver 2012). The interviews will be recorded and transcribed. We will take field notes when doing observations. The data will be systematized, coded and re-coded throughout. Quantitative method gives us knowledge about the prevalence of knowledge and attitudes among employers. We´ll use an internet based questionnaire by using the program Questback. The latest version of SPSS will be used for analyzing the data.