The efficacy of competitive integrated employment versus segregated employment for persons with disabilities: A systematic review

BACKGROUND: Although competitive integrated employment (CIE) has been established as a goal of employment policy and practice for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), many still receive segregated vocational services for subminimum wage. This persistence of segregated vocational services has occurred despite substantial previous research recommendations and policy directives to encourage CIE. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this systematic review was to examine whether recent research might provide further evidence of the role of segregated vocational services in contributing to or detracting from positive outcomes. METHOD: Our review searched peer-reviewed literature from seven electronic databases and screened 589 peer-reviewed articles based on inclusion criteria established following PRISMA guidelines— resulting in a final sample of five studies. In the second phase of our analysis, we provide a comparison of segregated and integrated vocational services in terms of individual outcomes. RESULTS: Our findings provide further evidence against the use of segregated vocational services for individuals with IDD. CONCLUSION: Implications of these findings for future research, policy, and practice are provided.