Author: Ms. Navneet Kaur & Mr. Saurabh Mishra
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.70798/Bijmrd/04011017
Abstract: The transition from education to employment remains a significant challenge for students with disabilities, despite increased access to higher education. Inclusive internships have emerged as an effective strategy to connect academic learning with real-world employability by providing structured workplace exposure alongside individualized support. This systematic review synthesizes existing research on inclusive and supported internship models to examine their role in enhancing employment outcomes, skill development, and workplace inclusion. Findings indicate that inclusive internships contribute positively to work readiness, confidence, and competitive employment, particularly when programs are embedded within educational curricula and supported through collaboration among educators, employers, and support professionals. However, variations in program quality, limited employer preparedness, and policy inconsistencies continue to restrict scalability. The review highlights critical success factors, identifies persistent barriers, and proposes directions for future research and practice to strengthen inclusive internship pathways and promote equitable employment opportunities.
Keywords: Inclusive Internships, Supported Internships, Employability, Students with Disabilities, Work-Integrated Learning, Transition to Employment.
Page No: 92-97