John Shepard

John Shepard is a Data Analyst at the Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts Boston. He works on various projects related to tracking national and state-level employment trends, and monitoring and improving employment outcomes for people with disabilities. He is responsible for creating and managing databases, analyzing datasets for intervention research projects, recruiting and tracking participants, and secondary data analysis of large datasets. His current work includes tracking and analyzing employment outcomes for people with disabilities in both Massachusetts and Maryland, and analyzing state and national employment outcomes and demographics.

Data Note 82: Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Outcomes of People with Intellectual Disabilities: 2013–2022

This DataNote describes the characteristics, services received, and employment outcomes of adults with an intellectual disability (ID) who exited from the vocational rehabilitation (VR) program during fiscal years (FY) 2013 through 2022, in the 50 states and the District of Columbia (DC). We compare the findings of adults with ID to the findings of people with other disabilities.

Data Note 76: Comparing Employment and Poverty Rates of People with and without a Cognitive Disability

This DataNote shares census data from the American Community Survey (ACS) that demonstrates 5-year trends in employment rates and poverty rates for working-age individuals. It compares these rates between individuals without any disabilities to individuals with a cognitive disability.

Supporting Parents of Transition Age Youths with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Findings from a Facebook Group Using Tools from Charting the LifeCourse

This brief shares findings from a research study conducted with parents of youths with intellectual and developmental disabilities who participated in a 6-month transition planning intervention. This intervention was based on content from Charting the LifeCourse’s (CtLC) Daily Life and Employment Toolkit. We delivered the intervention through a private Facebook group.

Data Note 71: Summary of Statedata: The National Report on Employment Services and Outcomes Through 2018

This data note summarizes the findings from the National Report on Employment Services and Outcomes Through 2018. Overall, the findings suggest that across data sources, people with IDD experience greater levels of unemployment, underemployment, low wages, and poverty compared to those without disabilities.