Supported Employment and Technology Utilization for Young Adults with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities During and Following the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multi-Stakeholder Focus Group Study

Background Virtual supported employment is an emerging service to support clients with disabilities search for, obtain, and maintain competitive integrated employment. This form of support remains relatively unexplored in the literature. Objective The purpose of the study was to explore perspectives and experiences of key supported employment stakeholders on transitioning to virtual supports and using technologies to support young adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Semi-structured focus group interviews involved four supported employment stakeholder groups: policymakers and funders, community rehabilitation providers, employers, and young adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Sessions were videotaped and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Supported employment stakeholders conveyed positive overall experiences in virtual supported employment during and following the pandemic, describing multiple encouraging opportunities for improving service accessibility, inclusivity, and efficiency. Nevertheless, obstacles with access to technology, the internet, and inadequate training may continue to limit such opportunities, highlighting areas for improvement. Conclusion Virtual supported employment offers a promising solution to address service accessibility barriers. The pandemic prompted new approaches to better support clients. This shift has revealed the need for ongoing training to explore technologies for supporting job seekers, as the use of virtual support continues to be provided beyond the pandemic.