Which Skills Do Students with Intellectual Disabilities Need for Pursuing Leisure Activities After Graduation? A Survey among Vocational Rehabilitation Practitioners in Japan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.6000/2292-2598.2024.12.03.2Keywords:
Leisure, vocational rehabilitation, special needs education, transition support, quality of lifeAbstract
Background: Leisure activities contribute to the quality of life and continuation of employment for individuals with disabilities. However, education related to leisure activities is inadequate in special needs schools in Japan.
Purpose: This study aimed to clarify which components of leisure guidance are considered important by vocational rehabilitation practitioners in Japan.
Methods: An online survey was conducted in 337 branches of the Support Center for Employment and Livelihood of Persons with Disabilities in Japan.
Results: Employment support practitioners recognized the importance of teaching students how to use their leisure time outside of working hours and helping them cultivate skills necessary to engage in leisure activities, regardless of whether they were still in school or had already graduated. In school, importance was placed on providing activities aimed at expanding leisure opportunities after graduation. For the period after graduation, the emphasis shifted to acquiring specific abilities necessary for engaging in leisure activities with other people, such as money management and securing means of transportation.
Conclusion: This study provides a direction for optimizing the quality of leisure guidance for individuals with special needs. The findings can help improve teaching practices in special needs schools and enhance the effectiveness of transition support for students with disabilities.
References
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. FY2024 Special needs education materials [in Japanese]. MEXT 2024January 11; [cited: June 17, 2024] Available from https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/shotou/ tokubetu/material/1406456_00011.htm
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Regarding the strengthening of measures to increase the statutory employment rate of persons with disabilities [in Japanese]. MHWL 2023March 2; [cited: January 12, 2024]Available from https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/001064502.pdf
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Summary of the employment situation of persons with disabilities [in Japanese]. MHWL 2023December 22; [cited:January 12, 2024]Available from https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/ newpage_36946.html
Trombly CA. Occupation: Purposefulness and meaningfulness as therapeutic mechanisms. AJOT 1995; 49(10): 960-72. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.49.10.960 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.49.10.960
Louw JS, Kirkpatrick B, Leader G. Enhancing social inclusion of young adults with intellectual disabilities: A systematic review of original empirical studies. J Appl Res Intellect Disabil 2020; 33(5): 793-807. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12678 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12678
Brucker DL, Henly M, Rafal M. The association of disability status with job tenure for U.S. workers. Work 2022; 72 (1): 109-17. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-205004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-205004
Frank A. Vocational rehabilitation: Supporting ill or disabled individuals in (to) work: A UK perspective. Healthcare 2016; 4(3): 46. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare4030046 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare4030046
Akyurek G, Bumin G, Crowe TK. The factors associated with community participation: Employment and education of people with disabilities in Turkey. Scand J OccupTher 2019; 27(1): 28-38. https://doi.org/10.1080/11038128.2019.1587502 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/11038128.2019.1587502
Strong S. Meaningful work in supportive environments: Experiences with the recovery process. AJOT 1998; 52(1): 31-8. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.52.1.31 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.52.1.31
Belmonte Almagro ML, Bernárdez-Gómez A. Evaluation of Self-Concept in the Project for People with Intellectual Disabilities: “We Are All Campus”. J Intell 2021; 9(4): 50. https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence9040050 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence9040050
Dunn EC, Wewiorski NJ, Rogers ES. The meaning and importance of employment to people in recovery from serious mental illness: Results of a qualitative study. Psychiatr. Rehabil. J 2008; 32(1): 59-62. https://doi.org/10.2975/32.1.2008.59.62 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2975/32.1.2008.59.62
Fillary R, Pernice R. Workplace culture analysis where people with intellectual disabilities work: A case study approach. JIDD 2005; 30(3): 176-80. https://doi.org/10.1080/13668250500204091 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13668250500204091
Roessler RT. Improving job tenure outcomes for people with disabilities: The 3M model. RCB 2002; 45(4): 207-12. https://doi.org/10.1177/00343552020450040301 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00343552020450040301
Park JY, Park EY. Factors affecting the acquisition and retention of employment among individuals with intellectual disabilities. Int J Dev Disabil 2021; 67(3): 188-201. https://doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2019.1633166 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2019.1633166
Park EY. Factors affecting labour market transitions, sustained employment, and sustained unemployment in individuals with intellectual disabilities. JARID 2022; 35(1): 271-79. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12946 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12946
Herrick SJ, Lu W, Oursler J, Beninato J, Gbadamosi S, Durante A, Meyers E. Soft skills for success for job seekers with autism spectrum disorder. J Vocat Rehabil 2022; 57(2):113-26. https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-221203 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-221203
Thomas F, Morgan RL. Evidence-based job retention interventions for people with disabilities: A narrative literature review. J Vocat Rehabil 2021; 54(2): 89-101. https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-201122 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-201122
Burke KM, Raley SK, Shogren KA, Hagiwara M, Mumbardó-Adam C, Uyanik H, Behrens S. A Meta-Analysis of Interventions to Promote Self-Determination for Students With Disabilities. Remedial Spec Educ 2020; 41(3): 176-188. https://doi.org/10.1177/0741932518802274 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0741932518802274
Day H, Alon E. Work, leisure, and quality of life of vocational rehabilitation consumers. Can J Rehabil 1993; 7(2): 119-25.
Folta SC, Bandini LG, Must A, Pelletier J, Ryan K, Curtin C. Exploring leisure time use and impact on well-being among transition-age autistic youth. Res Autism Spectr Disord 2022; 96: 101996. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2022.101996 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2022.101996
Campbell N. The intellectual ableism of leisure research: Original considerations towards understanding well-being with and for people with intellectual disabilities. J Intellect Disabil 2021; 25(1): 82-97. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744629519863990 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1744629519863990
Niitsuma S, Hosokawa K. Research on the nature of education that supports the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities: Evaluation of school education and satisfaction with life by graduates [in Japanese]. Bull Fac Educ Chiba Univ 2024; 72: 73-81.
Kvam L, Vik K, Eide AH. Importance of participation in major life areas matters for return to work. J Occup Rehabil 2015; 25(2): 368-77. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-014-9545-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-014-9545-2
Powrie B, Copley J, Turpin M, Ziviani J, Kolehmainen N. The meaning of leisure to children and young people with significant physical disabilities: Implications for optimising participation. Br J Occup Ther 2020; 83(2): 67-77. https://doi.org/10.1177/0308022619879077 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0308022619879077
Hammell KW. Dimensions of meaning in the occupations of daily life. CJOT 2004; 71(5): 296-305. https://doi.org/10.1177/000841740407100509 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/000841740407100509
Wehman P. Research on leisure time and the severely developmentally disabled. Rehabil Lit 1977; 38(4): 98-105.
McCarron L, Kern W, Wolf CS. Use of leisure time activities for work adjustment training. Ment Retard 1979; 17(3): 159-60.
Nemoto M. Retention support [in Japanese]. In: Japan Society for Vocational Rehabilitation (Ed.). Keywords for persons with disabilities and employment support: Vocational rehabilitation glossary. Saitama: Yadokari Publishing 2018; pp. 134-35.
Takebe M, Nitto Y, Fujino H. Adaptive behavior of adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder with employment: A follow-up study of vocational skills and daily living skills [in Japanese]. Jpn J Dev Disabil 2021; 43(1): 108-119.
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. General provisions of the special needs school curriculum guidelines [in Japanese]. Kairyudo: Tokyo; 2018.
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Curriculum guidelines for each subject, etc., of special needs schools [in Japanese]. Kairyudo: Tokyo; 2018.
Hosoya K, Kitamura H, Igarashi Y, Hirohata K, Okayama T. A study of leisure-time support for children during the long vacation: Summer school in Hakodate[in Japanese]. J Hokkaido Univ Educ 2017; 67(2): 77-84.
Hatakeyama F, Nakamura H, Kuno T. A trial of the kid's football on Saturday for an attached special support elementary school for children with intellectual disorders (1)[in Japanese]. The journal of studies on educational practices: Abulletin of the integrated center for educational research and development, faculty of culture and education, Saga-University 2011; 28: 323-41.
Hatakeyama F, Kuno T. A trial of the kids football on Saturday for an attached special support elementary school for children with intellectual disorders (2): From a view point of career education[in Japanese]. The journal of studies on educational practices: Abulletin of the integrated center for educational research and development, faculty of culture and education, Saga-University 2012; 29: 127-44.
Okabe I, Watanabe M. Instruction for the spontaneous initiation of leisure activities by students with developmental disabilities: Through the transformation of recess time in schools for the students with intellectual disabilities [in Japanese]. The Japanese Journal of Special Education 2006; 44(4): 229-42.
Matsushita H, Sonoyama S. A case study on the effects of using activity schedules in leisure activities for children with autism [in Japanese]. JJSE 2008; 46(4): 253-63.
Okamoto K. Support that respects the will of a child with autism with intellectual disabilities who finds it difficult to participate in school life [in Japanese]. JJSE 2009; 47(2): 129-138.
Wada S. Support for A with mental and right-hand handicap to play an instrument: a case study of playing the single hand ocarina[in Japanese]. Bulletin of Kansai Society of Musicology 2009; 26: 1-20.
Kishida T. Using “Otona No Nurie” to teach leisure skills to mentally challenged youth and an examination of the influence that an improvement skills has on the subjects and their families[in Japanese]. Bulletin of educational research of Setsunan University 2010; 6: 47-64. https://setsunan.repo.nii.ac.jp/records/174
Enomoto T. Home-based cooperative behavioral support with mother: Support to the behavioral problem by child with pervasive developmental disorders[in Japanese]. Japanese journal on the study of support system for developmental disabilities 2013; 12(2): 55-63.
Nakamura R, Hosoya K. Literature review of leisure learning and activities for people with disabilities [in Japanese]. J Hokkaido Univ Educ (Educ) 2021; 71(2): 55-67.
Yasukawa N, Kobayashi S. Practice of leisure guidance for children with autism: Guidance on "going swimming alone" through individual education plans [in Japanese]. JJSE 2004; 42(2): 123-32.
Kato K. Leisure activity support[in Japanese]. In: Japan Society of Developmental Psychology (Ed.). Developmental science of autism spectrum: Developmental science handbook 10. Shin-yo-sya: Tokyo 2018; pp. 220-9.
Matsushita H, Fukumoto R. Leisure activities of children with intellectual disabilities: The survey of after-school activities and evaluation by parents [in Japanese]. J Jpn Disabil Sci 2022; 46: 149-162.
Sasaki K. Employment and leisure support for people with intellectual disabilities: Current status and issues [in Japanese]. Jpn J Spec Educ 2023; 61(3): 145-154. https://doi.org/10.6033/tokkyou.21T045 DOI: https://doi.org/10.6033/tokkyou.21T045
Yamada Y, Maebara K. A literature review on leisure education for persons with intellectual disabilities: Focusing on leisure education practices [in Japanese]. Mem. Fac. Educ. Human Stud., Akita University. Educational Science 2023; 78: 97-103.
Heinlein KB, Campbell EM, Fortune J, Fortune B, Moore KS, Laird E. Hitting the moving target of program choice. Res Dev Disabil 1998; 19(1): 27-38. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0891-4222(97)00027-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0891-4222(97)00027-9
Eldeniz Cetin M, Cay E. Examining leisure activity engagement of students with intellectual disability. Int J Educ Methodol 2020; 6(1): 57-66. https://doi.org/10.12973/ijem.6.1.57 DOI: https://doi.org/10.12973/ijem.6.1.57
Eratay E. Effectiveness of the direct instruction method in teaching leisure skills to young individuals with intellectual disabilities: Abstract, introduction, method, results, discussion, conclusion, references. Int Electron J Elem Educ 2020; 12(5): 439-451. https://doi.org/10.26822/iejee.2020562134 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26822/iejee.2020562134
Dusseljee JCE, Rijken PM, Cardol M, Curfs LMG, Groenewegen PP. Participation in daytime activities among people with mild or moderate intellectual disability. JARID 2011; 55(1): 4-18. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2788.2010.01342.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2788.2010.01342.x
Heister N, Zentel P, Köb S. Participation in everyday leisure and its influencing factors for people with intellectual disabilities: A scoping review of the empirical findings. Disabilities 2023; 3(2): 269-294. https://doi.org/10.3390/disabilities3020018 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/disabilities3020018
Kvam L, Eide AH, Vik K. Understanding experiences of participation among men and women with chronic musculoskeletal pain in vocational rehabilitation. Work 2013; 45(2): 161-74. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-121534 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-121534
Tomita A, Sugiyama A. Effect of verbal communication on the perception of workers with intellectual disabilities by university students in the Department of Social Work: Participation in the leisure time support program [in Japanese]. Bull Coll Community Hum Serv Rikkyo Univ 2021; 23: 19-34.
Scanlan JN, Bundy AC, Matthews LR. Promoting wellbeing in young unemployed adults: The importance of identifying meaningful patterns of time use. Aust Occup Ther J 2011; 58(2): 111-9. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1630.2010.00879.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1630.2010.00879.x
Maehara K. Considering support for transition to society from the classroom scene of special needs education![in Japanese]. Jissen Minna no Tokubetsu Shien Kyouiku 2024; 613: 10-3.
Yamada Y, Maebara K. Leisure education in special needs schools for students with intellectual disabilities [in Japanese]. Bull Cent Educ Res Pract 2024; 46: 109-114. Available from.
Jenkins R. Value of employment to people with learning disabilities. Br J Community Nurs 2002; 11(1): 38-45. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2002.11.1.9321 DOI: https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2002.11.1.9321