Conference Examines Persistent Low Employment Rates of Disabled People In U.S.
By Cindy Higgins, RIIL (Research Information for Independent Living)
One of the most troubling statistics pertaining to employment and people with disabilities in the U.S. is the persistently low employment rate. This rate has declined during the 1990's despite the strong economy, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and various efforts to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities in the U.S. This extremely important subject was addressed in a conference organized and hosted by the Cornell Employment and Disability Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., on October 18 and 19, 2001. The purpose of the conference was to present recent policy research on why employment rates have declined, to discuss implications of the findings for public and private policy, and to identify additional policy research needed to improve understanding of employment rate trends and their policy implications.
Specific topics addressed in plenary session were: factors affecting low employment rates for people with disabilities; review of employment rate trends and their relation to the definition of disability; the influence of demographics, education, rising incomes, and prevalence of disabling conditions; the role of income support and health care costs; and the influences of the changing workplace and the ADA.
Small group sessions included increasing the attractiveness to employers of hiring and retaining people with disabilities; the transition from school to work; a disability earned income tax credit; TWWIIA, WIA, and other current policy initiatives; vocational rehabilitation; people with mental illness; technology; self-directed employment and individuals with developmental disabilities; people with musculoskeletal conditions; the disconnect between anti-poverty programs and disability; breaking the link between eligibility and ability to work.
For more information on the conference contact Sharon VanCampen (sav4@cornell.edu) or Elaina Sitaras (es48@cornell.edu); 607-255-2906 (voice), 607-255-2763 (fax), 607-255-2891 (TTY).
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