Stuck at the bottom rung: occupational characteristics of workers with disabilities.
BACKGROUND
The proportion of workers reporting disabilities varies tremendously across occupations. Although differences in the occupational distributions may partly explain the large disparities in earnings and job security between workers with and without disabilities, little is known about the reasons that workers with disabilities are underrepresented in certain occupations and overrepresented in others.


METHODS
Using a large, national survey of the US population combined with official data on the skill and experience requirements and occupational risks of 269 occupations, a multilevel regression analysis was performed to identify occupational and individual factors that influence the representation of workers with disabilities across occupations. Models of overall, sensory, mobility, and cognitive disability were constructed for working-age labor force participants, as were models of overall disability for younger, in-between, and older workers.


RESULTS
At the occupational level, reported disability is negatively associated with occupational requirements for information and communication skills and with the amount of prior work experience that is required, after controlling for individual factors such as age and educational attainment. Little relationship is found between disability status and a set of occupational risk factors. These findings generally hold true across disability types and age groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Even after taking into account their lower average educational attainment, workers with disabilities appear to be disproportionately relegated to entry-level occupations that do not emphasize the better-remunerated job skills. Underemployment results in lower wages and less job security and stability. Possible reasons include employer discrimination, low expectations, deficits in relevant skills or experience, and work disincentives.
Institute for Health & Aging, University of California San Francisco, 3333 California Street Suite 340, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA. steve.kaye@ucsf.edu
H Stephen
HS
Kaye
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D011361:Professional Competence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits; D012923:Social Class; D000078329:Workforce; D055815:Young Adult