‘I Don't Think They've Ever Seen People Like Me Do Jobs Like This’: Exploring Hope Within Strengths‐Based Employment Services for People With Disability

Background Strengths‐based employment services focused on the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities challenge traditional, deficits‐based orientations. Within the presence of hope, which sustains collective effort toward a preferred future, such employment services may stimulate social change. Therefore, the presence of hope was examined within strengths‐based employment settings for adults with intellectual disabilities to understand its potential to establish inclusive workplaces. Methods Employees with intellectual disabilities supported by strength‐based employment services, as well as their employers and co‐workers, completed semi‐structured interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Hope was present within strength‐based employment services through the (a) co‐sharing of strengths, (b) movement toward a shared, preferred future, (c) alignment of personal and collective goals, and (d) (co)transformation of interacting parties. Conclusion Implementing strengths‐based employment services for people with intellectual disabilities is supported, as it facilitates the cultivation of hope and thus movement toward inclusive and equitable workplaces.