Focus groups on employment related soft skills for transition age youth with disabilities

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Work-related soft skills can be an important factor for successful employment outcomes, particularly for individuals with disabilities. OBJECTIVE: This study conducted two focus groups with stakeholders for two state Rehabilitation Councils to identify the needs of specific work-related soft skills for employment success of transition age youth with disabilities. METHODS: 30 participants including 10 individuals with disabilities, 5 family members of individuals with disabilities, 5 disability service providers, 9 disability advocates and 1 unidentified, completed two focus groups to identify a list of soft skills by importance for transition age youth with disabilities to succeed at work. RESULTS: Focus group participants reported that communication skills (face to face communication and emails to coworkers, customers, and employers), conflict resolution skills, advocacy skills, and professionalism are the most important soft skills for transition age youth with disabilities to be successful at work. CONCLUSION: Findings indicated soft skills are critical to work success for transition age youth with disabilities. Vocational rehabilitation providers should teach these critical soft skills when serving transition age youth with disabilities.