Employment, Income, and SSI Effects of Postsecondary Education for People With Intellectual Disability.

Sannicandro et al. (2018) tracked adults with intellectual disability who went to college.

They compared jobs, pay, and SSI checks of graduates to similar adults who did not attend.

The design was quasi-experimental, so the groups were matched but not randomly placed.

College graduates with ID were more likely to have paid jobs.

They also earned more money each week and relied less on SSI benefits.

All effects favored the group that finished post-secondary education.

Nord et al. (2015) found that people with ID who stay on public benefits work fewer hours.

That sounds like the opposite of Sannicandro et al. (2018), but the samples differ.

Derek’s data came from general VR clients, while Thomas studied only college goers.

Kasperzack et al. (2020) add that college staff push hard for paid work through campus jobs and employer partnerships.

Together the papers show education may break the benefits trap for those who reach college.

If you serve transition-age clients, urge families to explore inclusive college programs.

Use the higher job and pay rates to justify the extra effort and cost.

Pair the academic plan with off-campus internships so the employment benefit shows up soon after graduation.