Predictors of employment for young adults with developmental motor disabilities.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the personal, family, and community factors that facilitate or hinder employment for young adults with developmental motor disabilities.


METHODS
Quantitative methods with an embedded qualitative component were used. Seventy-six persons between the ages of 20 and 30 years of age (Mean = 25, SD = 3.1) with a diagnosis of either cerebral palsy or spina bifida completed questionnaires addressing factors such as depression, and participated in a semi-structured interview that allowed participants to describe their experiences with education, employment, transportation, and other services.


RESULTS
Almost half of the participants (n = 35) were not currently employed. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that gender (females were less likely to be employed), IQ (lower IQ associated with unemployment), and transportation dependence accounted for 42% of the variance in employment. Themes emerging from content analysis of the interviews supported the findings related to transportation barriers. Social reactions to disability limited employment opportunities, and participants often felt stuck in terms of employment options with limited opportunities for advancement.


CONCLUSIONS
Transportation is a significant barrier to employment and innovative solutions are needed. Issues related to gender need to be considered when addressing employment inequities for persons with primarily motor disabilities.
Magill-Evans
Joyce
J
Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. joyce.magill-evans@ualberta.ca
Galambos
Nancy
N
Darrah
Johanna
J
Nickerson
Christy
C
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000416:Alberta; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014186:Transportation; D055815:Young Adult