Practice what we teach: Developing internship opportunities for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities

Employment of young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is an important benchmark of adulthood; however, people with IDD continue to be unemployed at higher rates than peers without IDD (Siperstein et al., 2013). Employment is an important determinant of health and well-being, and individuals with IDD report increased financial freedom, social participation, self-esteem, and quality of life as a result of being employed (Almalky et al., 2020; Wehman et al., 2012). Research suggests organizations that employ people with IDD benefit through increased workplace diversity, improved work ethic, and long-term employment (Morgan & Alexander, 2005; Scott et al., 2017).