Does being in sheltered workshops improve the employment outcomes of supported employees with intellectual disabilities?

Abstract

This study examined the vocational outcomes of two cohorts of supported employees – 4,904 supported employees who participated in sheltered workshops and 4,904 supported employees that didn't participate in sheltered workshops. Individuals in these groups were matched based up their diagnosis, the presence of secondary conditions, and their gender. It was found that supported employees from the non-sheltered workshop group were just as likely to be employed as supported employees from sheltered workshops (60.4% versus 59.6%). Further, non-sheltered workshop supported employees earned significantly more ($137.20 versus $118.55 per week), worked more hours (24.78 versus 22.44), and cost less to serve ($4,542.65 versus $7,894.63).