Affiliations: Department of Policy Analysis and Management, Cornell
University, Fairfax, VA, USA | Cornell University Institute for Policy Research,
Cornell University, Fairfax, VA, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: David Stapleton, Cornell University
Institute for Policy Research, 3907 Skyview Lane, Fairfax, VA 22031, USA. Tel.:
+1 703 323 1735; Fax: +1 208 330 6344; E-mail: dcs28@cornell.edu
Abstract: A major debate has begun over reports of an unprecedented decline in
the employment of working age people with disabilities over the 1990s business
cycle. Here we review the literature on what can and cannot be said with
current data on this subject and conclude that this decline is not an artifact
of the data. We then review the various explanations and evidence for this
decline and conclude that it was caused by changes in social policy rather than
increases in the severity of the underlying health conditions and impairments
of this population. The implication is that significant changes in public
policy are needed to more effectively integrate working age people with
disabilities into employment. We identify and discuss the most promising
directions for public policy in this area.
Keywords: employment trends, disability employment policy, Social Security Disability Insurance, Americans with Disabilities Act, work limitations
