Adelaine Vianna Furtado

Workplace Inclusion from the Standpoint of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

Inclusion in the job market offers intellectually disabled individuals the possibility of social and emotional development. The present study sought to explore several aspects of the workplace inclusion process of individuals with intellectual disabilities, based on their accounts of personal experiences. The study enjoyed the participation of four women and fi ve men between 23 and 40 years of age and diagnosed with intellectual disabilities. All of the participants had prior employment experience; four were employed at the time, and fi ve were unemployed. In order to collect the research data, the participants were visited at their homes, where they answered a questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. The results of the interviews revealed that the workplace inclusion process is largely satisfactory and that inclusion is a right. The results thus indicate that the inclusion context is capable of aiding the development of autonomy, independence, personal satisfaction, productivity and responsibility. We stress the importance of preparing studies aimed at improving the workplace inclusion process, highlighting its role in the development of people with intellectual disabilities by providing empirical data that can support the planning and implementation of public policies on workplace inclusion.