The quality of life of single adults with severe disabilities participating in extended employment programs in Northern Israel

The article examined the contribution of personal (demographic), disability and employment variables to the quality of life of 128 single adults with severe disabilities participating in extended employment programs in northern Israel. Major findings were that their quality of life score was substantially explained by three significant predictors: Perception of severity of disability as milder rather than severe, living independently and having less frequent participation in non-employment activities (mainly leisure and recreation) carried out by the extended employment programs. A regression analysis of the four factors of quality of life scale showed differential findings related to participants' perception of the severity of their disability and participation in non-employment activities in the programs.