March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM), organized by the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities and its partners. The theme for 2024 is A World of Opportunities, celebrating people working together to remove obstacles so all can succeed. Administration for Community Living Administrator Alison Barkoff noted that more than 7 million Americans have an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD), and they want to live independently, build careers, have families, and be a part of their community. Competitive integrated employment (CIE) may offer a pathway for young people with IDD to find jobs they want and begin that journey to full participation. CIE is employment in a workplace that includes people with and without disabilities, that pays at least minimum wage or better with benefits, and with opportunities for advancement.

Research has shown that CIE is one approach that can lead to employment success for people with IDD, including those with the highest support needs. Recently, NIDILRR researcher Lauren Avellone, PhD, testified before the US Senate Special Committee on Aging that people who participate in CIE experience improved quality of life and significant growth in independence.

Our Research In Focus series has highlighted recent NIDILRR-funded studies on CIE and its impact on people with IDD:

• Competitive Integrated Employment Programs May Offset Pandemic Impact on Some Workers with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities looked at research which showed that workers in CIE programs were less impacted by COVID-related unemployment than those in other workplaces.
• For Youth with Disabilities Seeking Employment, Work Experience May Matter More Than School Factors spotlighted a study that found that early access to vocational services and paid, integrated work experiences can lead to employment success for students with disabilities.

You can learn more about CIE through these resources from the NIDILRR grantee community and elsewhere:

• The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Employment of Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities has a large collection of videos, factsheets, research summaries, and more, explaining how programs like CIE and supported employment can lead to success for people with IDD.
• The Center on Scaling Up Progressive Employment explores how service providers can support both job seekers with disabilities and businesses in getting the most out of CIE.
• The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Employment of Transition-Age Youth with Disabilities includes a study on the impact of paid internships on CIE.
• The Office of Disability Employment Policy at the Department of Labor funds several initiatives focused on CIE, including technical assistance for state agencies, resources for employers and job seekers, and much more.

If you are interested in finding CIE opportunities in your community, visit our Community Resources page on Employment. You can also search for published research and projects studying CIE in our databases, or contact our information specialists for help in connecting to local agencies and organizations!