How has COVID-19 impacted disability employment?

BackgroundWhile the COVID-19 public health emergency has had disastrous health impacts for people with disabilities, it remains unclear what impact the associated economic recession and subsequent recovery have had on disability employment.ObjectiveWe evaluated employment trends for people with and without disabilities over the course of the COVID-19 recession and subsequent economic recovery, both overall and by occupational category (essential, non-essential, teleworkable, non-teleworkable, frontline, non-frontline).MethodsWe made use of data from the nationally representative Current Population Survey. Linear probability models were used to estimate percent changes in employment-to-population ratios and identify differences between disabled and non-disabled employment in each quarter broadly and within specific occupational categories.ResultsAs the COVID-19 recession began in Q2 2020, people with disabilities experienced employment losses that were proportionately similar to those experienced by people without disabilities. However, during the subsequent economic recovery, the employment rate of people with disabilities grew more quickly in Q4 2021 through Q2 2022, driven by increased labor force participation. These employment gains have been concentrated in teleworkable, essential, and non-frontline occupations.ConclusionOur findings suggest that people with disabilities are disproportionately benefiting from the rapid recovery from the initial economic contraction at the start of the pandemic.     

What Types of Jobs Do People with Disabilities Want?

Introduction Do non-employed people with disabilities want to work, and if so, what types of jobs do they want? Researchers seeking to explain the low employment rate among people with disabilities have focused primarily on skill gaps, employment disincentives from disability income, accommodation mandates, and (to a lesser extent) employer attitudes and unwelcoming corporate cultures. There has been little attention paid to the attitudes of non-employed people with disabilities. Methods This paper uses the 2006 General Social Survey, a representative national survey of US adults that has disability information and a special supplement on worker preferences, to examine the above question. Results We find that, relative to their non-disabled counterparts, non-employed people with disabilities are (a) as likely to want a job but less likely to be actively searching, (b) as likely to have prior job experience, and (c) similar in their views of the importance of income, job security, and other valued job characteristics. The results, which vary little by type of impairment, indicate that the low employment rate of people with disabilities is not due to their reluctance to work or different job preferences. Conclusion Combined with evidence that a large share of new jobs can be performed by people with disabilities, the findings point toward the value of dismantling barriers to employment facing many people with disabilities.     

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychosocial well-being of people with disabilities

BackgroundBefore the COVID-19 pandemic, people with mobility, vision, hearing, and cognitive disabilities were at a higher risk of lower psychosocial well-being than people without disabilities. It is, therefore, of great importance to investigate whether the pandemic has exacerbated this difference.ObjectiveThis study examines whether people with disabilities (categorized as mobility, vision, hearing, cognitive, and any disabilities) report more COVID-19-related negative effects on psychosocial well-being (loneliness, decreased social contact, decreased hope for the future, concerns about being infected) than people without disabilities.MethodsWe analyzed population-based data from the Finnish Health, Welfare, and Services (FinSote) survey carried out in 2020–2021 (N = 22 165, age 20+). Logistic regression models were applied, controlling for the effects of age, sex, partnership, living alone, and education.ResultsAll disability groups, except those with vision disabilities, reported significantly more often that the pandemic increased loneliness than people without disabilities. There were no significant differences between the disability groups and people without disabilities in decreased social contacts. People with only mobility and cognitive disabilities reported significantly more often that the pandemic decreased their hope for the future than those without disabilities. All disability groups were more often concerned about being infected than people without disabilities, but this effect was not significant among people 75 or older.ConclusionThe psychosocial well-being of people with specific types of disabilities should receive special attention during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.     

Food insecurity in households of children with ASD in COVID-19 pandemic: A comparative analysis with the Household Pulse Survey data using stabilized inverse probability treatment weights

BackgroundBefore the COVID-19 pandemic, households of children on the autism spectrum were more likely to be food insecure than households of children without disabilities. With the unprecedented social, public health, and economic disruption caused by the pandemic, food insecurity has likely increased among families of children on the autism spectrum.ObjectiveThis analysis aims to compare the prevalence of food insecurity between the Autism Speaks' Food Insecurity Survey (ASFIS) administered during the Fall of 2020 and a nationally representative sample from the Household Pulse Survey (HPS) data collected during a similar timeframe.MethodsA propensity score analysis was utilized to create stabilized inverse probability treatment weights for adjusting background differences between the two groups. A logistic regression model was computed to estimate the odds of food insecurity in the ASFIS participants compared with those in the HPS data.ResultsAfter adjusting for background differences, households of children on the autism spectrum in the ASFIS were about four times more likely to be food insecure than households in the general population contained in the HPS data (OR = 3.7; 95% CI: 3.1–4.4).ConclusionsThe breakdown of social and economic supports during the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to a significantly higher likelihood of food insecurity among families of children on the autism spectrum.     

Concerns on healthcare access,utilization, and safety due to COVID-19 among American adults with vision loss

BackgroundLimited studies have indicated that Americans with vision loss are differentially impacted by COVID-19.ObjectiveWe examined concerns with healthcare and safety among Americans with vision loss during the early phase of the pandemic (April 2020).MethodsThe Flatten Inaccessibility Survey assessed the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare (pharmacy access, maintenance of eyecare regimen, caregiver access, and resource denial) and safety (social distancing, clean surfaces, and touching public signage) concerns among Americans with low vision or who were blind. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine associations between respondent characteristics and each concern.ResultsA total of 1921 adults responded to the survey, of whom 65% were blind and 35% had low vision. Most respondents were female (63%) and white (74%). Respondents with additional disabilities/comorbidities were more likely to report healthcare access concerns (pharmacy access, eyecare regimen, caregiver access, and ventilator access) and safety concerns (social distance, clean surfaces, and touching signage) than those with vision loss alone. In addition, females, those identifying as “other” gender, older individuals, and people with adult onset of vision impairment were more likely to experience COVID-19–related concerns and challenges related to healthcare and overall safety.ConclusionThese results suggest that while Americans with vision loss have been differentially impacted by COVID-19, adults with vision loss and additional disabilities/comorbidities are more likely to have concerns with healthcare and safety than those with vision loss alone.     

Disability and voting

BackgroundFor millions of people with disabilities in the United States, exercising the fundamental right to vote remains a challenge. Over the last few decades, the U.S. government has enacted several pieces of legislation to make voting accessible to individuals with disabilities.ObjectiveWe examine trends in self-reported voting rates among people with and without disabilities to uncover evidence for the effects of these policies on political participation. We also explore what policy change is necessary to encourage people with disabilities to vote by investigating whether the participation rates vary by the types of disabilities.MethodsWe analyze the Current Population Survey (CPS) data in the years of presidential elections for the period of 1980–2008.ResultsOur analysis shows that the population aged 18–64 with work-preventing disabilities has been persistently less likely to vote compared to the corresponding population without such disabilities. In addition, individuals with cognitive and mobility impairments have the lowest rates of electoral participation. The gap in the likelihood of voting in-person between people with and without disabilities is considerably larger than the gap in the likelihood of voting by-mail, regardless of the types of impairments that they have.ConclusionsThe participation gap between people with and without disabilities did not decrease over the last three decades despite the presence of federal laws that aimed at removing barriers for voting.     

Impact of COVID-19 on people with physical disabilities: A rapid review

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic caused drastic changes in the lives of the general population. People with physical disabilities, who commonly encounter daily challenges such as barriers to community mobility, reduced access to healthcare services and higher risk of suffering from depression, may face additional challenges in the context of the pandemic.ObjectiveThis study aims to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and associated isolation and protective measures, among people with physical disabilities.MethodsA rapid review of the published literature was conducted on August 10, 2020 through a search in six online databases to synthesize results from original studies regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with physical disabilities. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health was used to describe the population and the personal and environmental factors with a unified and standard health language.ResultsEleven records were extracted from 1621 individual papers retrieved from the search strategy. Various impacts on daily functioning such as a decrease in access to healthcare have been noted during the pandemic. Changes in social and lifestyle habits, mood changes and decreased levels of physical activity were also noted.ConclusionsOur results highlighted the lack of early research about the impacts of COVID-19 experienced by people with physical disabilities. Future studies should focus on specific consequences and needs of this vulnerable population to ensure their inclusion in public health recommendations and consideration by policy makers.     

The COVID-19 pandemic and quality of life outcomes of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

BackgroundPeople with intellectual and developmental disabilities (PWIDD) are contracting and dying of COVID-19 at significantly greater rates than nondisabled people and people with other disabilities. Despite the increased risk of COVID-19 for the IDD community, there has been less attention drawn to the impact of the pandemic on people with IDD, especially beyond their health and safety. Yet, PWIDD also face unique challenges as a result of the pandemic compared to other populations.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of life outcomes of PWIDD.MethodsWe conducted a secondary analysis of Personal Outcome Measures® interviews from 2019 to 2020 (n = 2284).ResultsThere were significant differences in the following quality of life outcomes of PWIDD between 2019 and 2020: continuity and security; interact with other members of the community; participate in the life of the community; intimate relationships; and, choose goals.ConclusionsOur findings suggest the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively hindered the quality of life outcomes of PWIDD in a number of different areas. While the pandemic has been undoubtably hard on the IDD community, in many ways it has simply intensified an underfunded and fractured IDD service system. However the IDD service system evolves during and after the pandemic, it must be done in a way that prioritizes the quality of life of PWIDD and what is most important to them.     

Working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic and its longitudinal association with physical activity and sedentary behavior

ObjectiveWorking from home during the COVID-19 pandemic has affected many workers’ daily life and possibly their physical activity behavior. We studied the longitudinal association of working from home during the pandemic with physical activity and sedentary behavior.MethodsLongitudinal data from 17 questionnaire rounds of the Lifelines COVID-19 cohort (March 2020–February 2021) were used. In total, 33 325 workers were included. In every round, participants reported their current work situation: location, home, or hybrid (working on location and from home). Physical activity levels and sedentary behavior before and during the pandemic were asked. Logistic generalized estimating equations adjusted for demographic/work/health covariates were used to study the association of work situation with physical activity and sedentary behavior.ResultsHome workers were less likely to meet the recommended ≥150 minutes/week of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity activity during the pandemic than location workers [odds ratio (OR) 0.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.90–0.96] and more likely to be less physically active than before the pandemic (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.04–1.14). Furthermore, compared to location workers, home and hybrid workers were more likely to be more sedentary (sitting ≥8 hours/day) on workdays during than before the pandemic (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.39–1.64/1.36–1.68, respectively).ConclusionsCompared to location workers, home workers (and to a lesser extent hybrid workers) were more often physically inactive and sedentary during than before the COVID-19 pandemic. As a substantial part of the working population may continue to work (partly) from home after the pandemic, workers should be supported to increase activity and reduce sitting while working from home.     

Distribution of secondary medical problems, impairments, and participation limitations among adults with disabilities and their relationship to health and other outcomes

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to describe the distribution and relationship of 16 secondary medical problems, impairments, and participation limitations among adults with disabilities to demographic characteristics, self-reported health, satisfaction with life, and social participation.MethodsData were analyzed for 4175 respondents to the disability supplements of the 2001 and 2003 Washington State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey Disability Supplement.ResultsOf persons with disabilities, 87% reported at least 1 secondary medical problem, impairment, or participation limitation, with a mean of 4.1. Conditions were unevenly distributed in the 73% of those with disabilities with more than 1 condition: a cluster of one-fourth of this group had an average of 9.7 conditions and the remaining three-fourths averaged 3.9 conditions, with no strong correlations among conditions in either cluster. Number and type of condition were related to age, gender, income, and social participation among people with disabilities and explained part of the relationship of disability status to health and life satisfaction.ConclusionThe data provide evidence that prevention and treatment of secondary medical problems, impairments, and participation limitations may reduce disability-related disparities in health and well-being.     

Health disparities among breast cancer patients with/without disabilities in Germany

BackgroundPrevalence and incidence of cancer are increasing in people with disability. Nevertheless, little is known about cancer care for people with disabilities.ObjectiveThe goal of this study was to examine the quality of care of breast cancer patients with pre-existing disabilities regarding diagnosis and type of breast surgery in Germany.MethodsWithin the framework of quality assurance of breast cancer centers, a patient survey was conducted by the University of Cologne. Survey data from 4626 newly-diagnosed breast cancer patients treated in 86 hospitals were analyzed using multilevel modeling. Data about socio-demographics, disability specific data as well as data about diagnosis and type of surgery were collected.ResultsAbout 13% (n = 568) of the patients indicated they had a pre-existing disability prior to their breast cancer. The majority of patients with disabilities have physical impairments (PI n = 385; 68.0%) or sensory impairments (SI n = 131; 23.1%). 16.7% of the patients indicated they have a mental illness (MI n = 95; 16.7%) and 8 patients indicated to have an intellectual disability (ID n = 8; 1.4%).Patients with PI and SI are less often diagnosed for cancer through a mammography screening (OR PI = 0.70; p < 0.05; OR SI = 0.58; p < 0.05). Patients with PI are less likely to receive breast conserving treatment (OR = 0.58; p < 0.00) and more likely to have a mastectomy without reconstruction (OR = 1.96; p < 0.00) compared to patients without disabilities.ConclusionOur data show that there are differences in the frequency of cancer diagnosis through mammography screening and in surgery applied between breast cancer patients with and without disabilities.     

Indicators of poor mental health and stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic,by disability status: A cross-sectional analysis

BackgroundEvidence from previous public health emergencies indicates that adults with disabilities have higher risk for morbidity (physical and mental) and mortality than adults without disabilities.ObjectiveTo provide estimates of mental health indicators and stressors for US adults by disability status during April and May 2020, shortly following the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsWe analyzed data from Porter Novelli View 360 opt-in Internet panel survey conducted during the weeks of April 20th and May 18th^, 2020 among 1004 English-speaking adults aged ≥18 years without and with disabilities (serious difficulty with hearing, vision, cognition, or mobility; any difficulty with self-care or independent living). Weighted logistic regression was used to test for significant differences between calculated prevalence estimates at the P ≤ .05 level.ResultsOne in four adults reported any disability. Adults with any disability were significantly more likely than adults without disability to report current depressive symptoms, frequent mental distress, suicidal ideation, and COVID-19-related initiated or increased substance use (all p values < .0001). Adults with disabilities also reported significantly higher levels of stressors, such as access to health care services (p < .0001), difficulty caring for their own (or another’s) chronic condition (p < .0001), emotional or physical abuse from others (p < .001), and not having enough food (p < .01).ConclusionsThe disproportionately high levels of poor mental health indicators among adults with disabilities as compared to those without highlight the importance of delivering timely mental health screening and treatment/intervention during and after the COVID-19 pandemic to persons with disabilities.     

Changes in life experiences of adults with intellectual disabilities in the COVID-19 pandemics in South Korea

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on adults with intellectual disabilities who are dependent on community services.ObjectiveThis study explored the experiences of adults with intellectual disabilities from their perspective during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, where most community-based services were suspended.MethodsWe conducted in-depth interviews with 15 adults with intellectual disabilities who lost access to services during COVID-19 pandemic. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted.ResultsFive overarching themes emerged: changes in (a) daily life, (b) health behaviors, (c) family relationships, (d) social relationships, and (e) social participation. Most participants experienced the loss of daily routines and healthy behaviors, family conflicts, and social isolation, but they also developed new ways of adapting and finding a new normal.ConclusionsThe findings offer valuable evidence of ways to develop and stabilize community-based services during a pandemic, with insights into the experiences of people with intellectual disabilities.