YOUNG ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES FINANCIAL SKILLS AND GOALS: A MIXED METHODS STRENGTHS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT

• Main Author: D'Aguilar, Allison
• Format: Others
• Published: VCU Scholars Compass 2019
• Subjects: Young Adults; Disability; Financial Capability; Financial Skill; Disability and Equity in Education; Finance and Financial Management
• Online Access: https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/5942; https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=7038&context=etd

Young adults with disabilities face barriers that affect their financial capability and financial inclusion in the marketplace. Barriers include a lack of autonomy, skills, and opportunities. This mixed method strengths and needs assessment aimed to explain and explore the financial skills and goals of young adults with disabilities. A standardized scale captured young adults with disabilities financial skills, photovoice participatory action research documented their valued financial skills and goals, and semi-structured interviews notated parents financial aspirations and goals for their daughters and sons. The mixed methods analysis suggested young adults with disabilities underlying financial skills fell 25 percent below the average score among U.S. adults; valued financial skills and goals included their hobbies, talents, and continued education to pursue a livelihood; and parents aspired that their daughter or son acquired meaningful employment, independence to include financial independence, and money management skills.