Recent College Graduates with Disabilities: Higher Education Experiences and Transition to Employment

Although the well- known employment gap between people with and without disabilities persists, employment prospects are more favorable, in general, for individuals with college degrees. In the 30 years since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the number of disabled people who attend college has steadily risen. This study investigated how college characteristics and engagement in career preparation activities during college affected the transition to work and employment outcomes of recent college graduates, comparing the experiences of people with and without disabilities. A convenience sample of n = 4,659 U. S. residents ages 20 to 35 who had completed their first undergraduate degree within the last 5 years responded to an online survey about college and work. Results showed that recent college graduates with disabilities engaged in academic and career preparation services at least as much as their peers without disabilities. After college, 80% of recent graduates with and without disabilities were currently employed at the time of the survey. Yet, inequities in the type and quality of employment were evident. Recent disabled graduates were less likely than recent non-disabled graduates to work at a job that was related to their college degree or to hold regular, permanent positions. Disability services educators can contribute to positive post-college employment outcomes by encouraging college students with disabilities to engage in career preparation activities during college and helping to ensure that such services and activities are appropriately accessible for all.