Career choice readiness of high school students with disabilities and SEN: Problems and practices
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Context and relevance. The problem of readiness for career choice among high school students with disabilities and special educational needs (SEN) is becoming increasingly relevant due to the state-level approval of the concept of a continuous educational trajectory for children with special educational needs — a concept that focuses on career guidance and employment. The context here is educational and social inclusion. Objective. To identify the characteristics and problems of developing readiness for career choice among high school students with disabilities and SEN, followed by an analysis of practices for addressing emerging barriers. Hypothesis. It is proved that the readiness to choose a profession for this category of schoolchildren cannot be called satisfactory; in the process of its formation, problems (barriers) arise, around which relevant practices are formed. Methods. Empirical verification was carried out using a sociological study of the educational needs and opportunities of children and youth with disabilities and SEN, organized in 14 regions of the Russian Federation; questionnaire-based methods (n = 1400) and expert interviews (experts – specialists working in the field of career guidance for children with disabilities and SEN, n = 12) were used. Results. The study showed that readiness for career choice in children with disabilities and SEN is incomplete and insufficiently meaningful, and also faces many problems: delayed development of readiness, distorted perceptions of professions, lack of effective strategies, limited autonomy, lack of modern and adequate information channels, and lack of a clear status and systematic approach in inclusive career guidance. In light of the development of inclusive practices aimed at overcoming these barriers, it is important to take into account the features identified.
Authors: L.A. Osmuk, I.V. Zhdanova, M.S. Melnikova
Institution: Novosibirsk State Technical University
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7224797828