Assessing motivation for work in people with developmental disabilities

Factors that might influence motivation for work have been neglected in previous investigations in the process of people with intellectual disabilities finding employment. This article describes the development of The Work Readiness Scale which was largely adapted from The Readiness to Change Questionnaire. A structured interview was conducted with 69 participants who had developmental and intellectual disabilities while at the supported employment agency or vocational training centre in a large city in England. A subgroup of 43 individuals completed the questionnaire again about two weeks later. A member of staff who knew the person well was asked to independently rate the motivational level of the individual. The questionnaire seems to have reasonable psychometric properties and may have utility in assessing individuals for work and designing appropriate training to find work.