Promoting job quality and career advancement among persons with disabilities during critical career transitions: a scoping review of published evidence

Purpose: Persons with disabilities can face challenges in obtaining high quality jobs during critical work transitions that are linked to worker well-being and opportunities for sustainable career growth. There is a need to identify and describe employment interventions that support persons living with disabilities in obtaining high quality jobs and advancing in their careers during critical work transitions. Methods: A scoping review of published intervention research was conducted. Two parallel searches focusing on job quality and career advancement were carried out and merged. Articles were screened at the title and abstract level and at full text level by two reviewers. A narrative synthesis was undertaken to examine the impact of relevant interventions on job quality and career advancement during critical work transitions. Results: Searches yielded 5858 studies (2543 job quality studies; 3315 career advancement studies). Fifteen studies were included from the job quality search and one study was included from the career advancement search. Studies originated from 3 different countries, the most prevalent being the United States of America (n = 14). Eight studies focussed on vocational rehabilitation interventions, six focused on interventions at post-secondary educational settings, one study focused on individualized placement services and two focussed on customised employment. The included studies offered limited measurements of job quality outcomes and career advancement. Vocational rehabilitation interventions were promising for enhancing job quality at the early career phase, particularly when delivered within educational institutions. Conclusion: Overall, evidence is lacking on the interventions that promote job quality and career advancement at different phases of the working life course. Additional research is needed to develop applied insights that enhance current programs, ensuring persons with disabilities can navigate career transitions and to promote job quality and career advancement.