5017.0: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 9:30 AM

Abstract #29681

Employment Patterns of People with Disabilities

Michele C. Adler, MPH and Thomas V. Rush, PhD. Office of Research, Evaluation and Statistics, Social Security Administration, 4-C-15 Operations Building, 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21235-6401, (410)965-5519, tom.rush@ssa.gov

Employment Patterns of People with Disabilities

This paper will examine the relationship between disability and employment among the working-age population. Results will be based on SSA program data and on the 1994-97 National Health Interview Survey Supplement on Disability (NHIS-D) - the most recent nationally comprehensive source of information on the employment of people with disabilities. The paper will have five parts: (1) derivation of a disability definition mapping the NHIS-D to the SSA disability program criteria; (2) trends in incidence and prevalence for the SSA disability program; (3) an employment profile containing descriptive data on age, gender, race and ethnicity, type and severity of disability, education, occupation, ability to work, past work, application for SSDI and/or SSI, health insurance, employment accommodations, vocational rehabilitation, and other factors; (4) comparisons between employment of people with and without disabilities; and, (5) regression techniques to determine the effects of factors such as age, education, and work experience on the employment decision. Results will address the effects of demographic and economic changes and the role of policy and legislation on the SSA disability program - namely the Americans with Disabilities Act, an Executive Order on the Employment of People with Disabilities, and the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act.

Learning Objectives: Participants can expect to learn more about the employment patterns and characteristics of people with disabilities, particularly as they pertain to the Social Security Disability program (and thus Medicare and Medicaid).

Keywords: Disability Studies,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Social Security Administration
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA