Research has established empirical link between essential employability skills and enhanced employment outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). However, research has shown that educators and employers may not expect people with IDD to have the same level of employability skills as those without disabilities. Such lower expectations could result in reduced efforts to equip youth with IDD some of the most important employability skills. The current study examined the perspectives of educators and employers toward people with and without disabilities, with comparisons between the United States (U.S.) and Saudi Arabia (S.A.). Participants included 75 educators and 168 employers from the U.S., and 109 educators and 165 employers from the S.A. Findings indicated key differences in perceptions of employability skills between employers and educators in the United States and Saudi Arabia, as well as variations in attitudes toward people with and without disabilities. Compared to their U.S. counterparts, educators and employers in Saudi Arabia had lower expectations for people with IDD than for those without IDD. These findings show that the importance of training and information disseminations regarding the potentials of people with disabilities.

Authors:
Dalun Zhang, Texas A&M University, United States
Naeema Alhasan, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia
Son Ju, University of Cincinnati, United States
Yi-Fan Li, University of Texas - San Antonio, United States
Xinyuan Yang, Texas A&M University, United States
Nasser Al-ajmi, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Dalun Zhang is Professor of Special Education, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, and Director of the Center on Disability and Development at Texas A&M University, United States of America.

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