ISSUES IN JOB SEARCH AND WORK ACCOMMODATIONS FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES

Abstract

This paper examines barriers to work among adults with disabilities in two specific areas – searching for jobs and workplace accommodations – using data from the 1994/1995 National Health Interview Survey Disability Supplement. Focusing on a subgroup of “work-oriented” persons, the paper finds that difficulties in looking for work are widespread, encountered by more than half of our sample of non-workers with disabilities. While there are a variety of reasons people report for being discouraged in looking for work, lack of appropriate jobs, lack of information about appropriate jobs, and transportation problems are frequently cited. Those with lower levels of education, less previous work experience, and more severe activity limitations have the most difficulty searching for jobs. We also find that about one-third of our work-oriented non-working sample of adults with disabilities report needing workplace accommodations. The most common specific needs are special work site features such as accessible parking, transportation, elevators, and modified work stations. While a greater proportion of non-workers need more accommodations than workers, the types of accommodations most frequently needed are similar. We also find that even after controlling for severity of limitations and demographic characteristics, reporting a need for accommodation is still negatively correlated with the probability of working.

Citation

Loprest, P. and Maag, E. (2003), "ISSUES IN JOB SEARCH AND WORK ACCOMMODATIONS FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES", Altman, B.M., Barnartt, S.N., Hendershot, G.E. and Larson, S.A. (Ed.) Using Survey Data to Study Disability: Results from the National Health Survey on Disability (Research in Social Science and Disability, Vol. 3), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 87-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1479-3547(03)03006-9