"Trying Something New Comes with so Much Anxiety": Outreach, Engagement, and Program Recommendations from Transition-Age, Out-Of-School Youth with Disabilities from Minority Backgrounds.

Abstract

Out-of-school youth with disabilities (youth) from minority backgrounds face significant barriers in transitioning to adulthood. Centers for Independent Living (CILs) can offer critical services to this population. This study explored ways that CILs can improve their outreach and programs for youth who come from minority backgrounds. In June 2022, the research team conducted three virtual focus groups, each of which included seven to ten participants who lived in Illinois, New York City, or South Carolina. Two researchers conducted content analysis using inductive coding for each focus group transcript to identify emerging themes. Participants' responses reflected specific themes for CILs to improve their outreach, engagement, and program offerings. Expanding and exploring these themes provides actionable policy and practice recommendations for staff from CILs and other organizations to improve outreach to and engagement of minority youth and support their employment, community participation, and independent living goals.