Learning Disabilities and Career Development Essay

Learning Disabilities and Career Development The lifelong process of career development poses special challenges for people with learning disabilities (LD). Although the career development of individuals with disabilities is not widely discussed in the literature, key pieces of legislation enacted or reauthorized in the 1990s—Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Rehabilitation Act (now Title IV of the Workforce Investment Act)—have helped increase the numbers of individuals with LD in postsecondary education and the awareness of their needs in the workplace (Hitchings and Retish 2000). This Brief reviews research on the career development needs of persons with LD and†¦show more content†¦In some of the literature, on-the-job problems are framed in terms of individual deficits: persons with LD are said to encounter difficulties in establishing routines and processing information correctly (Ohler, Levinson, and Barker 1996); often exhibit low sel f-esteem and learned helplessness (ibid.); have impaired ability to assess strengths and weaknesses (ibid.); and lack career maturity and social awareness skills (Hitchings and Retish 2000). Others recast employment issues as a function of the significant societal barriers faced by those who do not fit the norm, for example, biased attitudes, low expectations, or overprotectedness toward persons with disabilities (Michaels 1997). Although IDEA mandates Individualized Education Programs and Individualized Transition Plans, the latter often focus on academics, not career counseling or living skills; lack coordination among secondary, postsecondary, and community agencies; and are often developed too late in the educational process (Cummings et al. 2000). Career Development Processes and LD These employment issues underscore the need for a multifaceted career development program. Career development is a cyclical process that involves self-knowledge about personality, interests, skills, and abilities; understanding of the world of work and the requirements of specific occupations; and the ability to match ones abilities andShow MoreRelatedAcademic Motivation And Career Development1358 Words   |  6 Pages†¢ Academic motivation and skills: As they explore their career interests and options, youth increase their understanding of the value and relevance of formal education to pursuing their career goals. 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