How Well are We Doing Addressing Disability in America?

Abstract

Despite laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), (1992), and The Ticket to Work Act, (TTWA), (2001), working age adults who develop chronic disabling conditions often find themselves faced with a choice of leaving the labor market in order to qualify for public health insurance or continuing to work, often on a “hit and miss” basis, disqualifying them from employee health benefits. Federal and state policy makers continue to struggle to find solutions addressing the needs of working age adults with disabling conditions and illnesses. In this study we examine the work status of working age adults using two National Health Interview Surveys conducted a decade apart (1995 & 2005) to investigate and compare adults who have chronic, disabling conditions and self-reported rates of work. Specifically, this research investigates whether reported work activity among working age adults who report chronic health conditions has improved in the decade between 1995 and 2005. The effects of racial/ethnic differences, age, and region of residence on one's work status are also examined.

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