INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)
ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue XI November 2025
challenges highlight the need for a comprehensive synthesis of strategies that are both empirically supported and
practically feasible for teachers, vocational trainers, and institutions.
Effective teaching strategies for students with disabilities in vocational settings are multifaceted, combining
evidence based instructional methods, inclusive pedagogical frameworks, and adaptive technologies. Research
consistently highlights the importance of systematic instruction, individualized supports, and community-based
learning to promote skill acquisition and workplace readiness for students with intellectual, developmental,
physical, and sensory disabilities (Gilson et al., 2017; Shepley et al., 2019; Schroeder et al., 2022; Damyanov,
2024; Jobir, 2024; Suyitno et al., 2024). Key strategies include direct instruction, task analysis, response
prompting such as the system of least prompts, video modelling, Universal Design for Learning UDL, co-
teaching, and the integration of assistive technologies (Gilson et al., 2017; Shepley et al., 2019; Schroeder et al.,
2022; Rao & Meo, 2016; Cook & Rao, 2018; Pancsofar & Petroff, 2016; King-Sears et al., 2021). The literature
also emphasizes the need for reflective practice, teacher training, and systemic support to address barriers and
ensure the sustainability of inclusive vocational education (Dahalan & Toran, 2023; Mabeza & Villacruz, 2025;
Jobir, 2024; Zhang et al., 2024). While no single strategy is universally best, a combination of individualized,
evidence based, and contextually adapted approaches yields the most positive outcomes for learners with
disabilities in vocational settings (Gilson et al., 2017; Shepley et al., 2019; Schroeder et al., 2022; Damyanov,
2024; Jobir, 2024; Rao & Meo, 2016; Cook & Rao, 2018; King-Sears et al., 2021).
For clarity, this review uses the term vocational settings to refer to school based vocational programs, technical
education centres, and community or industry-based training environments where learners acquire job related
skills. Specialized terms such as system of least prompts, task analysis, video modelling, and Universal Design
for Learning UDL are defined and contextualized in the subsequent sections to support reader understanding.
Given the evolving landscape of inclusive VET, marked by emerging digital tools, shifting policies, and growing
expectations for workforce participation among individuals with disabilities, this narrative review aims to
synthesize current evidence on what constitutes the most effective teaching strategies in these contexts. The
review will discuss instructional approaches, collaborative frameworks, technological supports, and system level
factors shaping successful implementation. By mapping these interconnected domains, the paper provides a
timely and comprehensive overview that can guide educators, program designers, and policymakers seeking to
strengthen inclusion and improve outcomes in vocational education.
METHOD
This narrative review synthesizes the existing body of knowledge on teaching strategies for students with
disabilities within vocational education settings. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major
academic databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC, PubMed, Semantic Scholar, and Google Scholar,
to ensure broad and rigorous coverage of empirical studies, conceptual papers, and systematic reviews relevant
to the topic. To enhance completeness, the reference lists of key publications and review articles were also
manually screened to identify additional studies not captured through database searches. The search strategy
involved 21 unique queries targeting foundational theories, subgroup specific strategies, inclusive pedagogy,
critiques, interdisciplinary approaches, and adjacent topics. These searches employed combinations of keywords
and Boolean operators such as “vocational education,” “students with disabilities,” “special education
strategies,” “inclusive teaching,” “evidence based instruction,” “assistive technology,” “UDL,” “systematic
instruction,” “task analysis,” “co teaching,” and “video modeling.” Additional terms were introduced to capture
population specific needs (for example, “intellectual disability,” “autism,” “physical disability,” “sensory
impairment”) and vocational context terms (“technical training,” “workplace readiness,” “skills development”).
Searches were limited to articles published in English, with no lower publication date restriction to allow
inclusion of foundational work, while ensuring representation of current developments in the field.
Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
Studies were included if they met the following criteria
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