2016 Employment First Summit  Trailblazing:  Charting Our Employment Path

Promoting Positive Employment Outcomes Through Self-Determination
Michael L. Wehmeyer, Ph.D.

There is clear research evidence that promoting the self-determination of youth and young adults with developmental disabilities has positive impact on adult outcomes, including employment-related outcomes. This session will overview what is meant by promoting self-determination, examine the evidence related to promoting self-determination, and present information about interventions incorporating self-determination that have been shown to positively influence employment outcomes for youth and adults with developmental disabilities.

Michael L. Wehmeyer, Ph.D., is the Ross and Mariana Beach Professor of Special Education at the University of Kansas. In addition, he is Director of the Beach Center on Disability and Co-Director of the Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities. Dr. Wehmeyer's research has focused on issues pertaining to promoting the self-determination of children, youth, and adults with disabilities, the role of applied cognitive technologies to support meaningful life outcomes for people with cognitive and developmental disabilities, and the education of learners with extensive support needs.