Designing a curriculum for supporting the transition to adult life of young adults with intellectual disabilities

Individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) are faced with significant barriers relating to the transition to adult life and employment. The proposed chapter’s purpose consists of presenting the results emerged by the project of research E-IDEAS (Empowerment of youth with Intellectual Disabilities through Educational and training curricula for Acquiring employment Skills). In particular, the curriculum developed for supporting the acquisition of independent living and employment skills and the consequent transition to adult life of young persons with ID. Starting from a systematic analysis of literature on the topic, the chapter highlight the elements emerged that were used to develop the curriculum. Besides the search findings that led to curriculum elaboration, it includes the description of the methodology adopted, learning contents, as well as teaching strategies and tools utilized. Lastly, the results achieved by participants who attended the curriculum are presented, its assessment discussed, and future research directions defined.