Date of Award

Spring 2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

College

College of Education

Department

Department of Education

Primary Advisor

Dr. Sarah J. Yates

Second Advisor

Dr. Thomas J. Gollery

Third Advisor

Dr. Lisa A. Coscia

Abstract

The purpose of this nonexperimental, quantitative study was to discover the pre-employment skills needed by persons with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or intellectual disabilities (ID) to increase their employment readiness and retention. The purposive sample comprised 41 people who have hired, worked with, or trained persons with disabilities (PWD) in various capacities. Participants were also recruited through snowball sampling by purposive participants who provided the link to take the survey. Data were collected using a 22-item questionnaire survey created in Google Docs by the researcher and subject matter experts. The study’s demographic variables were evaluated using descriptive statistical techniques. The internal reliability of study participant responses was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha and was found to be very good. A one-sample t-test analysis indicated that study participants perceived that organizations should routinely hire PWD, such as ASD or ID, t(39) = 3.95, p < .001, and that employer-based training programs specifically tailored for persons with ASD or ID will improve job performance, t(40) = 9.42, p < .001. Cohen’s d analysis reflected a statistical effect (d = 1.47) that respondents believe pre-employment training programs will prepare PWD for employment. The data suggests that PWD can improve their employability skills with the aid of programs and services specifically tailored to train PWD and their non-special needs colleagues.

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