Building Job Interview Skills in Autistic Young Adults Through Web-Based Training
This info brief looks at research conducted by the Kessler Foundation Center for Autism Research, funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). The brief highlights key findings and implications related to web-based job interview training programs that help autistic young adults build interview skills, identify and communicate their strengths, and improve employment outcomes. The information in this brief is intended for autistic young adults, educators, transition programs, vocational rehabilitation counselors, job coaches, supported employment providers, and workforce development professionals.
Overview
- Autistic young adults may face communication challenges and have limited opportunities to practice job interviews, which can make it harder to find employment.
- KF‑Stride is a web‑based teaching program that helps autistic young adults identify and communicate their strengths to employers.
- Research shows KF‑Stride can help improve interview skills, confidence, and employment‑related outcomes.
Access to Opportunity: Transportation and Workplace Design for People with Disabilities
This info brief looks at research conducted by the Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDEA Center) at the University at Buffalo, funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). The brief highlights key findings and implications related to transportation systems, workplace design, and universal design strategies that support access to employment for people with disabilities. The information in this brief is intended for employers, transportation professionals, policymakers, disability advocates, workplace designers, and people with disabilities.
Overview
- Employment participation depends on more than just workplace accessibility. Transportation systems, workplace environments, and practices all influence whether people with disabilities can access, participate in, and keep a job.
- Universal design (UD) expands beyond minimum accessibility requirements by supporting usability, comfort, independence, wellness, and inclusion for a wide range of employees and job seekers.
- Findings from NIDILRR-funded transportation and workplace studies highlight opportunities to support getting to, being at, and keeping a job.
Supporting Workplace Success: Addressing Barriers to Assistive Technology Use for People Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision
This info brief looks at research conducted by the National Research & Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision (NRTC), which is funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). The brief highlights key findings and implications related to the barriers and potential solutions for people who are blind or have low vision (B/LV) using AT in the workplace. The information in this brief is intended for employers/businesses, disability advocates and professionals, and people who are B/LV.
Overview
- Strong AT skills and braille proficiency are associated with employment among people who are B/LV.
- Employed adults who are B/LV frequently rely on computers, mobile devices, and a wide range of AT, but they continue to face barriers such as limited access to high‑quality AT training or software with sufficient accessibility features.
- Research shows that many workers must teach themselves AT, despite preferring hands‑on instruction, and often purchase essential technologies used at work themselves.
- Addressing training gaps, improving accessibility of workplace systems, and expanding access to core AT may improve efficiency, job readiness, and workplace success.