Harkin Summit Employment Policy Research
AZ-Sonoran UCEDD | |||
Program Type | UCEDD | Fiscal Year | 2020 |
Contact | Wendy Parent-Johnson, Ph.D., CRC, CESP | ||
[email protected] | |||
Phone | 520-626-0080 | ||
Project Description | |||
Since 2015, the Harkin Institute has conducted an annual international Employment Summit focused on disability policy, practice, and outcomes with representatives from more than 50 countries. Bringing together more than 400 individuals from business, governmental, non-profit organizations, and people with disabilities, has resulted in the generation of innovative ideas and offered greater clarity regarding the barriers and potential strategies impacting employment outcomes. Two profound realities emerged: people are working but at lower rates than the nondisabled population with notable discrepancies in access, quality, and outcomes across geographic locations; and, robust change requires a data-driven approach. Methods: In response, this two-stage study operationalizes the discussions that began at the Summits, adding data and country-specific content, with the goal of developing a set of international goals and promising practices. First, an analysis of initiatives that participant organizations have engaged in was conducted by way of a review of websites, social and traditional media, and summit notes recordings and proceedings. Identified themes were captured in a 20-item survey that was finalized with participants at the first Harkin Summit held outside the United States in Paris, France. The completed survey was sent to everyone in attendance at all the Summits to date. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize responses. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted to enhance understanding and explore solutions systematically across countries and settings determining what works within different contexts. |