Employment Situation and Career Preferences of Persons Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in Germany ()
ABSTRACT
Purpose: Little is known about employment situations as well as career preferences
and aspirations of people who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication
(AAC), especially from the perspective of these individuals themselves. The
purpose of this study was therefore to explore 1)
employment situations of the persons who use AAC; 2) their
satisfaction with the employment situation; and 3) their
career preferences. Methods: An online questionnaire was developed for the purpose of this study.
Twenty-one persons, aged 16 to 65, participated in this study. Results: Ten participants (47.6%) were employed in disability specific workshops, five
(23.8%) attended adult day centres for people with disabilities, two (9.5%)
were unemployed, two (9.5%) were students, and two (9.5%) did not specify their
employment status. Nine participants (42.9%) were satisfied with their current
employment situation to some extent, while another nine were not satisfied
(42.9%). Out of 21 participants, 15 (71.4%) desired a change of their
situation, of which nine (42.9%) aspired to employment in the general labour
market. Conclusions: Future research is needed to address specific
barriers and facilitators related to accessing meaningful employment for
individuals who rely on AAC and accommodations needed to support such
employment.
Share and Cite:
Renner, G. , Karl, D. and Batorowicz, B. (2023) Employment Situation and Career Preferences of Persons Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in Germany.
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
11, 53-69. doi:
10.4236/jss.2023.112005.
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