Interactive e-learning to promote successful postsecondary employment outcomes for students with intellectual disabilities

Employment is essential for helping individuals with intellectual disabilities achieve independence, financial security, and self-sufficiency to be active members in the community as well as foster a higher quality of life more generally. However, only 25% of individuals with intellectual disabilities are employed two years after high school. Utilizing 3C’s proprietary dynamic e-learning platform, the goal of this SBIR project is to create the first selfpaced, adaptive job skills intervention designed specifically to meet the learning styles and social-emotional needs of students with intellectual disabilities. The proposed end product, W.O.R.K (Web-based Occupational Resource Kit), will enhance students’ preparedness for postsecondary employment, optimizing likelihood of success in the workforce following completion of high school. During Phase I, we will accomplish three technical objectives. First, we will develop a fully functioning software prototype with tailored educator and student user interfaces. Second, we will conduct feasibility testing with educators who are likely purchasers and/or users of the end product with students with disabilities to examine the feasibility and potential value of the W.O.R.K. product within authentic special education settings. Third, we will conduct usability testing of the prototype with secondary students with intellectual disabilities to ensure the prototype functions as intended.