A User's Guide to Current Statistics on the Employment of People with Disabilities

Abstract

This paper examines two fundamental questions related to measuring the employment outcomes of people with disabilities. First, can a reasonable operational definition of disability be developed from current surveys that will enable policy makers to track the size and employment outcomes of that population? And if yes, are the findings sensitive to alternative definitions of disability and employment? Our findings are relevant to researchers and policy makers interested in understanding the changing employment outcomes of people with disabilities over the past two decades. While we offer no firm conclusion about the impact of the ADA or other disability policy changes (e.g., changes in social security disability program policy) on employment, we strongly argue that when theoretically appropriate populations with disabilities are followed, and appropriate measures of their employment success are used, the employment of people with disabilities fell in the 1990s. A copy of the full paper is available in Stapleton, D. and R. Burkhauser (2003). What is Causing the Decline in the Employment of People with Disabilities: A Policy Mystery The book can be ordered from the Upjohn Institute website. A research brief that summarizes the major findings of this article is available in PDF form on Cornell's website (http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/extension/files/download/User%20Guide%20Brief.pdf). A text version is also available from that same website (http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/extension/files/download/Users%20Guide%20Brief.txt). Other Publications by the Authors Richard Burkhauser Andrew Houtenville David Wittenburg Usage and reprints: Most publications may be downloaded free of charge from the web site and may be used and copies made for research, academic, policy or other non-commercial purposes. Proper attribution is required. Posting UI research papers on other websites is permitted subject to prior approval from the Urban Institute—contact publicaffairs@urban.org. If you are unable to access or print the PDF document please contact us or call the Publications Office at (202) 261-5687. Disclaimer: The nonpartisan Urban Institute publishes studies, reports, and books on timely topics worthy of public consideration. The views expressed are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the Urban Institute, its trustees, or its funders. Copyright of the written materials contained within the Urban Institute website is owned or controlled by the Urban Institute. Document date: May 01, 2002 Released online: May 01, 2002 Source: The Urban Institute, © 2012 | http://www.urban.org

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