Abstract
In 1988, St. Michael's House Research in Dublin, Ireland undertook a 3-year innovative project, OPEN ROAD, in order to promote the social and vocational integration of adults with more severe levels of intellectual disability (mental retardation). Specifically, OPEN ROAD worked with persons who had never been employed and who had never taken part in any type of vocational training. This paper describes OPEN ROAD's (1) small-scale yet radical departure from traditional services; (2) systems conversion which underlay all phases of the operation; and (3) key outcomes for participants, their families, employers and members of staff. In addition, emergent issues which continue to shape the growth of the Supported Employment movement in Europe will be presented.
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