A proper vocational rehabilitation policy for people with developmental disabilities can truly
begin once society perceive people with developmental disabilities as self-sufficient and
independent individuals rather than passive objects of care, with the ability to work, through
vigorous national-driven interventions and efforts. Although the vocational rehabilitation
policies for those with developmental disabilities record lower employment rates and job
retention compared to other types of disabilities, they must consider the appropriate
relationships with other welfare services, including care and housing and their ultimate focus
must be on achieving a meaningful life through employment. The purpose of this study was
to propose a future direction for vocational rehabilitation policies for people with
developmental disabilities in the Republic of Korea. To achieve this goal, the status quo of
the current vocational policies in the Republic of Korea and the historical changes of the
supporting policies in the U.S. were analyzed. The results of this study suggest that specialized
services and their installation for people with developmental disabilities are the biggest priority,
followed by care and life long education for meaningful lives. Additionally, linkage with
vocational rehabilitation services, an expanded concept of vocational rehabilitation(services)
and the construction of a service delivery system should be taken into consideration for the
entire life cycle of the developmentally disabled.