People with Down syndrome may decide to find a job once they reach adulthood. Just as there are agencies to help with housing options, there are organizations dedicated to helping people with Down syndrome find work.
The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) categorizes the following three types of employment available to people with Down syndrome.
- Competitive Employment A person with Down syndrome might work closely with a job coach or employment specialist to slowly ease into their new role. Often, the person with Down syndrome will benefit from having a follow-up specialist who checks in to see how things are going.
- Supported Employment This is similar to competitive employment but includes a long-term support system to help the individual succeed in the role. (Note: The support may be limited to a certain period of time because of resource limitations.) Both competitive and supported employment occur in the community in real work locations.
- Sheltered Employment Being employed in this setting usually involves working alongside others with disabilities on administrative tasks, like stuffing envelopes. Critics say these settings promote segregation between people with disabilities and those without.
As with anyone, the key is finding the right role for the individual’s personality. For instance, a person with sensory issues may not thrive in a bustling office environment. On the other hand, a person who needs to move around a lot won’t be well-suited to a mainly sedentary job, according to NDSS.
“It’s important for employment programs to find out the strengths of the individual and find opportunities that make them happy, that they can be successful at, and that they look forward to going to,” says Higgins.
Michelle Sie Whitten, the cofounder, president, and chief executive officer of Global Down Syndrome Foundation in Denver, suggests asking a few basic questions to help determine which role is the best fit for an individual:
- How am I going to get there?
- Can I get there on time?
- Am I comfortable with the type of work?
- Am I confident I can do it?
- What other support will I need, and will the employer offer that support?
Volunteer work can also be a good option for someone who’s more interested in receiving training or an opportunity to engage in activities outside the home rather than just earning wages.
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