Employment for persons with intellectual disability in the Nordic countries: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND

Persons with intellectual disability remain largely excluded from the labour market in the Nordic countries. A review of the existing knowledge base may inform policymakers who try to address this challenge.

METHOD

The study uses a scoping review of 23 articles to summarize three decades of research on employment for persons with intellectual disability in the Nordic countries.

RESULTS

Persons with intellectual disability value employment, but school-related factors may form barriers to labour market participation. Support at the workplace is important but variable. There is a paucity of intervention studies, and few studies focus on supports to bridge the gap between personal capacity and environmental demands.

CONCLUSIONS

A better coordination between the educational system and the labour market may facilitate higher levels of employment for persons with intellectual disability. Intervention studies that emphasize individualized supports and follow-up of older employees with intellectual disability are welcomed.