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What People with IDD Want You to Know about HCBS Waiver Employment Services

This Research to Practice brief examines the perspectives of people with IDD and their families on Medicaid HCBS waiver employment services through focus groups and interviews. The study explores experiences with employment supports, service delivery systems, and funding structures, identifying key barriers and opportunities to improve access to meaningful integrated employment. Findings highlight the importance of high-quality, person-centered services, improved coordination across systems, stable and skilled employment support staff, and increased access to transportation and technology supports.

Using Self-Directed Transportation Services to Support Competitive Integrated Employment

Self-directed transportation services can help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) overcome one of the biggest barriers to competitive integrated employment: getting to work. Drawing on interviews with individuals with IDD, family members, and support brokers, this research to practice brief highlights how flexible transportation options can increase independence, expand career opportunities, and strengthen community participation, while offering practical strategies for choosing and planning transportation that meets individual needs.

Working in the Community—Update 4, The Status and Outcomes of People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Integrated Employment

This Special Issue Data Brief examines the employment experiences and outcomes of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who receive services through state IDD systems. Using data from nearly 17,000 adults across 30 states and Washington, DC, the brief explores rates of community employment, the types of jobs and industries people work in, and how individuals spend their time throughout the week.

Washington: State Agencies Working Together to Strengthen Employment

Washington State’s Developmental Disabilities Community Services and Department of Vocational Rehabilitation have built a long-standing partnership to advance competitive integrated employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through shared policies, regular collaboration, community engagement, and a strong Employment First commitment, the agencies have created a statewide culture that prioritizes employment, strengthens local partnerships, and meaningfully includes self-advocates and families in decision-making.

Washington: Centering the Value of Community in Employment Trainings

Washington State has built a strong culture of competitive integrated employment by embedding community participation values into employment trainings for professionals supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through a longstanding partnership between DDCS, DVR, and the Washington Initiative for Supported Employment (WISE), the state delivers consistent, values-driven training statewide. Self-advocates and families play a central role in shaping and delivering trainings, helping create person-centered services grounded in connection, relationships, and respect.

Outcomes for People With and Without Disabilities From the American Community Survey: 2024

Data Note No. 107, 2026

This Data Note summarizes employment and poverty rates across the US in 2024. These outcomes are compared for people with no disability, people with any disability, and people with a cognitive disability, which indicate that people with disabilities continue to have less success in the labor market, and a greater likelihood of being unemployed or underemployed, compared to individuals without a disability. 

Planning and Budgeting for Life on Their Terms: Managing Self-Directed Services

Managing self-directed services takes planning, budgeting, and support—but it also creates opportunities for greater choice and independence. This brief highlights how people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families manage services to build personalized supports that help them pursue employment and community life.

Using Self-Directed Services to Achieve Competitive Integrated Employment and Enhance Community Life Engagement

Self-directed services give people with intellectual and developmental disabilities greater choice and control over the supports they use to pursue employment and community life. This research brief highlights real stories and practical strategies showing how self-direction can improve independence, build strong support networks, and expand opportunities for competitive integrated employment.

Kansas Employment First Policy Analysis and Recommendations: Final Report

The Kansas Employment First Policy Analysis and Recommendations report reviews implementation of the 2011 Kansas Employment First Initiative Act, which prioritizes competitive integrated employment (CIE) for people with disabilities. It finds limited progress and identifies gaps in leadership, funding, coordination, training, data systems, and equitable access. Stakeholders prioritized three actions: establish a strong operational leadership group, embed employment across service systems, and implement a sustainable funding strategy to expand high-quality CIE outcomes statewide.
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