Voices of a Rural Community: How to Sustain and Improve Work Experiences for Youth with Disabilities

The purpose of this study was to develop an understanding of how work experiences in rural Hawai’ian communities can be sustained and improved for youth with disabilities. Employing a basic qualitative research design, this study captured the perspectives of rural community members who provided work experiences for youth with disabilities. Data analysis revealed key factors to sustain work experience partnerships between schools and community members: (a) effective communication, (b) competent personnel, and (c) the dispositions of students. The findings also revealed that there were missed opportunities for youth with disabilities during their work experiences because schools did not fully disclose the work needs and goals of students. The community members and their work sites could have been more effective if disability training and support was provided. The findings provide valuable insight into how work experiences can be sustained and improved for rural youth with disabilities.