How did employment consultants adjust and innovate services to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic?

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic forced an immediate change to the delivery of employment supports and services for jobseekers and workers with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across the United States. OBJECTIVE: This study examines how employment consultants and employment program managers adjusted the delivery of their supports to continue to provide services to jobseekers and employees with IDD during the pandemic. METHOD: A total of 11 employment consultants and employment program managers from 10 states participated in semi-structured interviews about the effects of the pandemic on their provision of employment services and on the people they support. The data were analyzed thematically. RESULTS: Four overarching themes regarding changes in support delivery were identified: 1) Immediate needs at pandemic onset; 2) Preparing for jobs; 3) Finding jobs; and 4) Keeping jobs. CONCLUSION: The adaptations and innovations made to employment services during the pandemic, especially regarding remote services, offer new and innovative approaches to helping people with IDD find and keep employment beyond the pandemic.