Organizational Implementation Capacity of Vocational Rehabilitation During Secondary Transition for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities: A Preliminary Study in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia

Vocational rehabilitation (VR) plays an important role in supporting successful school-to-work transitions for individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs). However, the organizational conditions that enable effective implementation of VR practices remain insufficiently understood. Because participation outcomes among individuals with ID are influenced by interactions between intellectual functioning, adaptive abilities, and environmental supports, examining organizational implementation capacity provides an important systems-level perspective. This study examined professionals’ perceptions of organizational implementation capacity for VR during secondary transition in Saudi Arabia and explored differences according to institutional and professional characteristics. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 89 professionals working in government secondary school programs and specialized education centers in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia. Participants completed the Vocational Rehabilitation Implementation Capacity Measure (VRICM), a context-specific, theoretically informed measure developed for this study. The VRICM examines four theoretically derived areas: Support and Related Services, Vocational Preparation Services, Collaborative Planning, and Workplace-Based Training. We conducted descriptive statistics and nonparametric group comparisons. Overall perceived organizational implementation capacity was moderate (M = 3.25, SD = 0.95). Support and Related Services and Vocational Preparation Services received higher ratings than Collaborative Planning and Workplace-Based Training. Differences were observed according to institutional sector and professional experience. Findings provide preliminary evidence regarding organizational factors supporting VR implementation within a Saudi Arabian secondary-city context. Further psychometric evaluation of the VRICM, including structural validity assessment, is required before broader application.