Get AHEAD Publications & Research

• Mythbusters - A brochure for employers on employing people with disabilities.
  
• To disclose or not to disclose, that is the question - A brochure which explores the issue of disclosure and employment.
  
• Exhortation to Government - Mandate to Government On Transport Access and Employment Issues.

National graduate Research Survey:
GET AHEAD is currently working on a national graduate research survey for graduates with disabilities to gain information on employment statistics and employment issues which affect disabled graduates in Ireland. This survey has been commissioned by AHEAD in conjunction with Get Ahead, the results of which will be launched in early 2007.

The main focus of the research will be to:

• Compile a contact list of graduates with disabilities across the universities in conjunction with the Disability support services. The survey will include approximately 300 graduates across all occupational groups covering a period of 2002 – 2005. It will include the year of graduation, the faculty, the level of degree, type of disability, levels of previous work, and supports accessed while in university.
• Look at first destination employment profiles of graduates, the levels of employment, the relevance to their degree.
• Look at support services available to graduates seeking employment, what worked and where the gaps were.
• Explore the experiences of graduates with disabilities seeking employment, including disclosure issues, numbers of applications to interviews etc.

Methodology:
The methods will include both quantitative and qualitative research methods and will include a self selection questionnaire sent out to graduates. Data will be gathered and analysed in order to identify research questions to be explored further in a graduate focus group. This will provide a view of the employment situation from the perspective and experience of the graduate with disability, the information will be interpreted and the findings and conclusions published into a report.



Outcomes of Research:

• The research survey will result in the production of empirical and valid data on the first destinations of graduates with disabilities and their experiences of accessing the employment market.
• The survey will provide an opportunity to reflect on the experiences of graduates with disabilities and the impact this has on their employment situation.
• It will identify recommendations for changes to the supports offered to graduates with disabilities within universities and higher education. These findings will be presented at a GET AHEAD conference at which Careers advisors will be invited to discuss the outcomes and issues identified