Beyond the Classroom: How Day Programs Enhance Work Experience Skills for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
A career is often seen as one of the markers of success for adult life, and as children, our education often focuses on the skills we will need for work. For adults with intellectual disabilities who have outgrown school but still need some support, developmental disabilities day programs combined with work experience placements may be the best way to build these skills.
What are day programs for adults with intellectual disabilities?
As the name suggests, day programs are structured environments where attendees arrive in the morning, participate in activities, and then return home in the evening. This allows them to follow a schedule similar to that which they might be used to in school or expect at work, and it leaves them time during evenings and weekends for other obligations, such as family or employment. This is in contrast to residential programs, where attendees live and spend all their time on site. For adults with autism, intellectual disability and similar conditions, these programs are a way to expand and practice skills that they may not have mastered yet, but that they will need to achieve their goals, whether that is employment, further education, or just living more independently. Qualified and experienced staff will support them in doing this, while they also have opportunities to interact with people with similar disabilities to themselves. The skills and confidence built in the program can then be transferred to other environments, such as the workplace.
Why work is important
Work is not just about financial security and independence. A well-chosen career can also give you a sense of personal satisfaction. You are able to meaningfully use your skills and abilities as well as contribute to society in a wider context. It builds your self-esteem so you can be more confident in other areas of your life. It is also an opportunity to encourage yourself to leave the house, provide structure to your day, socialize and create new relationships, and challenge yourself to attempt new things. This can all lead to a happier and healthier individual.
Skills needed for work
Every workplace has its own requirements based on its specific tasks and procedures, but there are some skills that are almost always useful. Employers generally expect you to be able to communicate with colleagues and customers, to show organization and time management, to follow health and safety protocols, to use any work-specific software, and to show some problem-solving ability if any new issues arise. You need to dress appropriately, be polite, and generally understand the rules of the workplace itself, but also master adjacent experiences such as using public transport to travel to work. Some of these skills are expansions of life skills more generally, but others are more unique to the working environment.
How day programs help
In the classroom, day programs can help in areas such as career planning, making job applications and preparing for interviews, but they can also provide more practical opportunities to build skills through work experience placements.
1. Internal work experience placements
These take place on site at the program, which means the environment is familiar and experienced staff who have established relationships with students are available with guidance and support. It is a highly structured way to gain experience in a variety of work-related roles. For example, an internal placement may allow a student to design their own product, to create, package and market it, then sell it to a customer. This allows them to experience different aspects of a business, identifying their strengths while also rehearsing those areas that they find challenging.
2. External work experience placements
Day programs are also well-placed to establish partnerships with local employers. This helps mitigate one of the great difficulties when people with disabilities seek work: businesses that do not understand disability or how to provide accommodations. The employers offering placements will have the knowledge and experience, with the help of the professional staff from the program, to ensure that trainees are properly supported. This means that adults with disabilities can have even more opportunities to experience a diverse range of roles and to build and practice even more skills, without being overwhelmed by a lack of preparation for a completely unfamiliar environment.
Conclusion
For those adults with disabilities who wish to work, work experience placements are a way that day programs can help them build their skills outside of the classroom. This will not only provide them with practical experience but also build their confidence, better preparing them for employment and the associated benefits it brings for leading an independent and meaningful life.
