Opinions and suggestions of employers on employment of individuals with mental retardation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine employers’ opinions and suggestions on the employment of individuals with mental retardation (MR). This descriptive study was conducted with 20 employers who hired individuals with MR. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Findings revealed that employers valued technological, adaptive, co-operative, communicative, academic, and responsibility skills while hiring individuals with MR. Moreover, results yielded that increasing work experience of individuals with MR, training them according to the job, and informing activities directed towards both the society and the families of these individuals were considered highly important by employers. This study puts forward, as for the employers, what skills are necessary and what kind of educational activities should be prioritized in the employment of individuals with MR.