The Right to a Better Life: Using an After-School Work Camp to Create Customized Employment Opportunities for Rural High School Students with Severe Disabilities

Abstract

If people with intellectual disability are to become truly self-determined, they must be allowed to express choice throughout their lives, including employment. Expectations for competitive employment tend to be low for this population, if considered at all (Citron et al., 2008). Theoretically, integrated employment options, including customized employment and supported employment, have existed for years; however, there seems to be a disconnection between theory and current practice in employment of people with disabilities (Rusch & Wolfe, 2008). This article presents one rural teacher's efforts for customized employment opportunities through an After School Work Camp and discusses implications for replication.