Supervisory Competencies that Matter: Insights from Employees with an Intellectual and/or Developmental Disability.

Abstract

Individuals with an intellectual and/or developmental disability (ID/DD) remain underrepresented in competitive integrated employment settings due to various workplace barriers, with one key challenge being the lack of supervisor preparedness to effectively support and manage this population (Heron & Bruk-Lee, 2023). Targeted initiatives to enhance workplace inclusion for individuals with an ID/DD are essential to fostering a diverse and equitable labor force. This study contributes to these efforts by investigating the competencies individuals with an ID/DD perceive as critical for effective supervision. Through qualitative interviews and an importance rating task, 14 participants with an ID/DD identified key supervisory knowledge and skills necessary for facilitating their success at work. The findings from this study provide insights to inform the development and refinement of training programs designed to enhance supervisors' capacity to support and manage employees with an ID/DD effectively.