EMPLOYMENT LEADS TO INDEPENDENT LIVING AND SELF-ADVOCACY: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF EMPLOYED AND UNEMPLOYED PERSONS WITH COGNITIVE DISABILITIES

The main purpose of this study was to measure the effect of employment on independent living and self-advocacy of persons with cognitive disabilities. The other purposes of the paper were to measure the effect of severity of disability and type of employment, on self-advocacy skills and independent living skills. A ten item-five point rating scale was developed to measure the independence level and self advocacy of persons with cognitive disabilities. A qualitative and quantitative study of fifty unemployed and fifty employed persons with cognitive disabilities was carried out. The results were statistically analysed and a significant difference was found between the groups, with the unemployed persons with cognitive disabilities scoring significantly lower in independent living and self-advocacy skills. Those in open employment showed more independent living and self-advocacy skills than those in group employment. The practical implications of the findings of this study are discussed.