Challenges from transitional sheltered workshops to community workplaces: perspectives of Taiwan social enterprises

Abstract

The purpose of my interview study was to investigate and describe the challenges to competitive employment encountered by four major Taiwan nonprofit organizations. These challenges were presented solely from the perspective of the employment assistants and employment supervisors, who were assisting in transitioning young adults with mild-moderate mental retardation from their transitional sheltered workshops to community-based workplaces. The results of this study offered a rich knowledge that could be used by personnel from social enterprises when they encountered challenges from parents, young adults with disabilities, employees without disabilities, and employers. This study also provided valuable information for personnel who provided transitional services to young adults seeking work in the community.