Transition from sheltered workplace: Vocational skills are not the main concern.

This article examines the transition of employees with intellectual disabilities from sheltered workplaces to inclusive work environments within a Turkish sheltered workshop project involving seven companies. Through interviews with 71 stakeholders—including employees, families, human resource managers, foremen, and special education teachers—the study identified mixed attitudes toward transition, highlighting themes of occupational health and safety, work skills and competence, and comfort zone and preferences. While some employees and families supported transition, concerns about workplace safety, bullying, loss of benefits, and the suitability of all employees for inclusive settings were prevalent, with foremen and human resource managers generally viewing transition as feasible only for select individuals. The findings underscore the need for improved communication, structured support programs, and legal and policy reforms in Turkey to facilitate inclusive employment for people with intellectual disabilities.