Individual Characteristics and the Disability Employment Gap

Abstract

Although people with disabilities have poorer employment outcomes, on average, than do people without disabilities, some of them fare relatively well in the labor market. To learn more about the individual characteristics associated with positive employment outcomes among people with disabilities, we use data from the 2009-2011 American Community Survey to examine differences in employment outcomes by demographic and other individual characteristics in a multivariable framework. Controlling for all other individual characteristics, we find the employment gap between individuals with and without disabilities is smaller among those in their 20s and 60s relative to the middle aged, Asians relative to Whites, Hispanics relative to non-Hispanics, married individuals, individuals with higher levels of educational attainment, and women. Overall, results suggest that policies and practices designed to improve employment outcomes among people with disabilities should consider how individual characteristics interact with disability as challenges to or facilitators of employment success.

The role of workplace accommodations in the employment of people with disabilities

“…The rates are higher for whites relative to most other races, for those with higher levels of educational attainment, and for those with hearing disabilities (Houtenville et al 2013). Some of the employment differences across demographic groups mirror well-documented disparities in the general population, which may, in turn, reflect long-term trends in social norms, educational and economic opportunities, and discrimination (Sevak et al 2015).…”

Individual, agency, and state economic characteristics

“…The age-employment decline for individuals with disabilities typically occurs after age 30 versus after age 50 individuals without disabilities. This study also found that the employment gap is largest during middle age, which is a critical period for accumulating retirement savings and securing finances for exiting the workforce (Sevak et al, 2015). Dutta and others (2008) found age to be a significant predictor for employment of individuals with sensory impairments; however, age was not a significant predictor for individuals with physical and mental impairments.…”

“…Each agency may differ in the implementation of services, types of services provided and who receives these services (Chan et al, 2016). Previous research has explored some of these differences, primarily studying how individual characteristics impact closure rates and employment (Dutta, Gervey, Chan, Chou, & Ditchman, 2008;Sevak, Houtenville, Brucker, & O'Neill, 2015;Stapleton et al, 2010).…”

“…Age, gender, race, disability, disability severity, education level, and receipt of SSA benefits have been highly researched individual characteristics that impact the employment status of persons with disabilities who have used VR services (Dutta et al, 2008). Not surprisingly, age has been found to be associated with lower employment rates regardless of disability status (Sevak et al, 2015). Across disability types, age has shown a negative relationship with employment status, meaning that older individuals typically have lower employment rates and unsuccessful VR closures than younger individuals.…”

“…The ICF model's focus is that personal characteristics may mediate or moderate the relationship between disability and participation in various activities (Chan, Tarvydas et al, 2009). This relationship between personal characteristics and a person's ability to obtain and maintain employment and VR services has been researched at great length (Chan et al, 2016;Dutta et al, 2008;Sevak et al, 2015). Personal characteristics such as gender, age, disability type, and educational attainment are strong predictors of employment outcomes within the VR literatures (Dutta et al, 2008).…”