From Campus to Career

Individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) face persistent barriers to meaningful, competitive employment, despite protections like the ADA, IDEA, WIOA, and the Rehabilitation Act. Unemployment and underemployment rates remain high, with many working in low-wage, non-integrated settings. From Campus to Career explores the root causes of these disparities and offers evidence–based strategies to improve employment outcomes. Central to this is a five-step career development model: assessment, exploration, preparation, implementation, and decision-making. This model incorporates person-centered planning (PCP), which helps individuals identify strengths and goals, leading to personalized career paths. Micro-credentials and certifications support in practical, marketable skills, while community partnerships connect individuals to real-world job opportunities. Lasting change requires collective action across education, employment, and community sectors to create equitable pathways to fulfilling, self-directed careers for people with ID.