Year: 2026 | Month: October | Volume: 13 | Issue: 10 | Pages: 35-44
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20261005
Vocational Work Behaviour and Employability Skills among Persons with Intellectual Disability: A Comprehensive Review of Workplace Readiness and Employment Outcomes
Ashutosh Kumar Singh1, Uday Pratap Singh2
1Assistant Professor (Spl.Edu. -ID), NIEPID, Regional Centre, Noida, Utter Pradesh, India,
2Assistant Professor (Intellectual Disability), Baba Mastnath University, Rohtak, Haryana, India,
Corresponding Author: Ashutosh Kumar Singh
ABSTRACT
Employment is an important dimension of adult life, providing opportunities for economic participation, social interaction, independence, personal identity, and community inclusion. However, persons with intellectual disability (ID) continue to experience substantial barriers to obtaining and maintaining meaningful employment. Successful employment depends not only on job-specific vocational competencies but also on vocational work behaviour and transferable employability skills. This comprehensive review examines vocational work behaviour and employability skills among persons with intellectual disability, with particular emphasis on workplace readiness and employment outcomes. The review synthesizes conceptual and empirical literature concerning vocational preparation, workplace behaviour, supported employment, job coaching, work-based learning, and employment sustainability. Key employability domains identified across the literature include punctuality, regular attendance, following instructions, task completion, work persistence, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, self-management, workplace safety, appropriate social interaction, and self-advocacy. Research by Agran et al. (2016) indicates that employment-related social skills, including seeking clarification, responding appropriately to feedback, requesting assistance, punctuality, and appropriate customer interaction, are highly valued in workplace settings. Gilson et al. (2017) demonstrated that employment skills can be systematically taught using diverse instructional approaches. Nevala et al. (2019) found evidence supporting supported employment, work experience, personal support, job coaching, family involvement, and supportive workplace environments. Carlson et al. (2020) further highlighted the importance of workplace supports for maintaining employment. Overall, the literature suggests that workplace readiness is multidimensional and emerges from the interaction between individual competencies and environmental supports. The review recommends integrated vocational programmes combining technical skills, employability training, authentic work experience, self-determination, employer engagement, individualized support, and post-placement assistance to promote sustainable and inclusive employment for persons with intellectual disability.
Keywords: Intellectual disability, vocational work behaviour, employability skills, workplace readiness, supported employment, vocational rehabilitation, employment outcomes, workplace inclusion.
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