Skip to main content

What Types of Jobs Do People with Disabilities Want?

Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation volume 21, pages 199–210 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Notes

  1. http://www.gss.norc.org/.

  2. Calculated from [39] using estimates for the 21–64, 65–74, and 75 or older age categories.

  3. www.issp.org.

References

  1. Kruse D, Lisa S. Employment of people with disabilities following the ADA. Ind Relat. 2003;42:31–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Stapleton DC, Richard B, editors. The decline in the employment of people with disabilities: a policy puzzle. Kalamazoo, MI: W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research; 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Yelin ED, Laura T. Disability and the characteristics of employment. Monthly Labor Review 2003 May 20–31.

  4. Erickson W, Lee C, von Schrader S. Disability status report: The United States. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Demographics and Statistics 2009; 2008.

  5. Kruse D. Persons with disabilities: demographic, income, and health care characteristics. Mon Labor Rev. 1998;121(9):13–22.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Schur L. Dead-end jobs or a path to economic well-being? The consequences of non-standard work among people with disabilities. Behav Sci Law. 2002;20:601–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Ball P, Morris M, Hartnett J, Blanck P. Breaking the cycle of poverty: asset accumulation by people with disability. Disabil Stud Q. 2005;25(4).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Schur L. The difference a job makes: the effects of employment among people with disabilities. J Econ Issues. 2002;36:339–48.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Bound J, Timothy W. Accounting for recent declines in employment rates among working-aged men and women with disabilities. J Hum Resour. 2002;37(2):231–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Dixon K, Kruse K, Van Horn C. Restricted access: a survey of employers about people with disabilities and lowering barriers to work. New Brunswick, NJ: John J Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, Rutgers University; 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Schur L, Kruse D, Blanck P. Corporate culture and the employment of persons with disabilities. Behav Sci Law. 2005;23:3–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Domzal C, Houtenville A, Sharma R. Survey of employer perspectives on the employment of people with disabilities: Technical Report. (Prepared under contract to the Office of Disability and Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor). McLean, VA: CESSI 2008.

  13. Schur L, Kruse D, Blasi J, Peter B. Is disability disabling in all workplaces? Workplace disparities and corporate culture. Ind Relat. 2003;48(3):381–410.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. National Organization on Disability/Harris Polls. 2004 N.O.D./Harris Survey of Americans with disabilities. Washington, D.C: National Organization on Disability; 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Schur L. Barriers or opportunities? The causes of contingent and part-time work among people with disabilities. Ind Relat. 2003;42(4):589–622.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Presser HB, Altman B. Work shifts and disability: a national view. Mon Labor Rev. 2002;125(9):11–24.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Aiman-Smith L, Bauer T, Cable D. Are you attracted? Do you intend to pursue? A recruiting policy-capturing study. J Bus Psychol. 2001;16(2):219–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Jurgensen CE. Job preferences (what makes a job good or bad?). J Appl Psychol. 1978;63(3):267–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Chapman D, Uggerslev K, Carroll S, Piasentin K, Jones D. Applicant attraction to organizations and job choice: a meta-analytic review of the correlates of recruiting outcomes. J Appl Psychol. 2005;90(5):928–44.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Cable DM, Judge TA. Pay preferences and job search decisions: a person-organization fit perspective. Pers Psychol. 1994;47(2):317–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Gatewood RD, Gowan MA, Lautenschlager GJ. Corporate image, recruitment image and initial job choice decisions. Acad Manage J. 1993;36(2):414–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Thomas KM, Wise PG. Organizational attractiveness and individual differences: are diverse applicants attracted by different factors? J Bus Psychol. 1999;13(3):375–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Ryan AM, Ployhart RE. Applicants’ perceptions of selection procedures and decisions: a critical review and agenda for the future. J Manage. 2000;26(3):565–606.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Cable DM, Judge TA. Person-organization fit, Job choice decisions, and organizational entry. Organ Behav Hum Decis Process. 1996;67(3):294–311.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Judge TA, Cable DM. Applicant personality, organizational culture, and organization attraction. Pers Psychol. 1997;50(2):359–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Judge TA, Bretz RD. Effects of work values on job choice decisions. J Appl Psychol. 1992;77(3):261–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Mok K, Chan D. A study of job preference and work ethics in Guangzhou. J Contemp China. 2001;10(28):495–515.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Wiersma UJ. Gender differences in job attribute preferences: work-home role conflict and job level as mediating variables. J Occup Psychol. 1990;63(3):231–43.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Brenner OC, Tomkiewiczt J. Job orientation of males and females: are sex differences declining? Pers Psychol. 1979;32(4):741–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Lacy WB, Bokemeier JL, Shepard JM. Job attribute preferences and work commitment of men and women in the United States. Pers Psychol. 1983;36(2):315–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Bigoness WJ. Sex differences in job attribute preferences. J Organ Behav. 1988;9(2):139–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Miller L, Hayward R. New jobs, old occupational stereotypes: gender and jobs in the new economy. J Educ Work. 2006;19(1):67–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Morgan RL, Ellerd DA. Development and evaluation of a video CD-ROM program for individuals with developmental disabilities to determine job preferences. J Vocat Rehabil. 2005;23(1):1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Morgan RL. Job matching: development and evaluation of a web-based instrument to assess degree of match among employment preferences. J Vocat Rehabil. 2008;29(1):29–38.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Stock SE, Davies DK, Secor RR, Wehmeyer ML. Self-directed career preference selection for individuals with intellectual disabilities: using computer technology to enhance self-determination. J Vocat Rehabil. 2003;19(2):95–103.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Mueser KT, Becker DR, Wolfe R. Supported employment, job preferences, job tenure and satisfaction. J Mental Health. 2001;10(4):411–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Becker DR, Bebout RR, Drake RE. Job preferences of people with severe mental illness: a replication. Psychiatr Rehabil J. 1998;22(1):46.

    Google Scholar 

  38. McMenamin T, Miller SM, Polivka AE. Discussion and presentation of the disability test results from the Current Population Survey. Working Paper 396, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2006.

  39. Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Demographics and Statistics, Cornell University. 2006 Disability Status Reports: United States 2007.

  40. Logue L, Blanck P. Race ethnicity and disability: veterans and benefits in post- Civil War America. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Kruse D, Schur L, Ali MA. Disability and occupational projections. Monthly Labor Review. 2010;133(10).

  42. National Council on Disability. Empowerment for Americans with disabilities: breaking barriers to careers and full employment. Washington, D.C: National Council on Disability; 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Schur L, Adya M, Bruyere S, Kruse D, Nishii L, Samant D, Blanck P. Accommodating employees with and without disabilities. Draft, School of Management and Labor Relations, Rutgers University 2010.

  44. Blanck P, Hill E, Siegal C, Waterstone M. Disability civil rights law and policy: cases and materials. 2nd ed. Minnesota: Thomson/West Publishers; 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Blanck P. The right to live in the world: disability yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Texas J Civil Lib Civil Rights. 2008;56:369–403.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank Douglas Kruse for useful comments and advice. Funding for the disability module for the 2006 General Social Survey was provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Grant No. H133B980042-99, and the Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations. In addition, the program of research described herein is supported in part by grants to Dr. Blanck and BBI from: (a) The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), U.S. Department of Education, for (i) “The Asset Accumulation and Economic Self-Sufficiency Project,” Grant No. H133A090014; (ii) “Demand Side Employment Placement Models,” Grant No. H133A060033; (iii) “Southeast Disability & Business Technical Assistance Center,” Grant No. H133A060094; and (iv) “Center on Effective Delivery of Rehabilitation Technology by Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies,” Grant No. H133A090004; (b) The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) for “Technical Assistance and Continuing Education (TACE) Center Region IV (Southeast TACE),” Grant No. H264A080021, and (c) the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, for “New York’s Comprehensive Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG),” Grant #1QACMS030318.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Management & Labor Relations, Rutgers University, 94 Rockafeller Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA

    Mohammad Ali

  2. School of Management & Labor Relations, Rutgers University, 50 Labor Center Way, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA

    Lisa Schur

  3. Burton Blatt Institute, Syracuse University, 900 Crouse Avenue, Crouse-Hinds Hall, Suite 300, Syracuse, NY, 13244-2130, USA

    Peter Blanck

Authors
  1. Mohammad Ali
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lisa Schur
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Peter Blanck
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mohammad Ali.

Appendix: Question Wordings

Appendix: Question Wordings

Disability Questions

Any disability: Yes to question 1 or 2 below, or to two or more of questions 3–7

Do you have

  1. 1.

    a hearing problem that prevents you from hearing what is said in normal conversation even with a hearing aid?

  2. 2.

    a vision problem that prevents you from reading a newspaper even when wearing glasses or contacts?

  3. 3.

    any condition that substantially limits one or more basic physical activities such as walking, climbing stairs, reaching, lifting, or carrying?

  4. 4.

    Any other physical disability?

  5. 5.

    Any emotional or mental disability?

Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition lasting 3 months or longer, do you have difficulty doing any of the following

  1. 6.

    Learning, remembering or concentrating?

  2. 7.

    Participating fully in school, housework, or other daily activities?

Hearing impairment: yes to question 1 above

Visual impairment: yes to question 2 above

Mobility impairment: yes to question 3 above

Mental impairment: yes to question 5 above

Prior Employment and Recent Training

Ever had job for 1 year or more: Have you ever had a paid job for 1 year or more? (1 = yes, 0 = no)

When last paid job ended: When did your last paid job end?

Main reason job ended: What was the main reason that your job ended?

  • I reached retirement age

  • I retired early, by choice

  • I retired early, not by choice

  • I became (permanently) disabled

  • My place of work shut down

  • I was dismissed

  • My term of employment/contract ended

  • Family responsibilities

  • I got married

Had training to improve job skills in past 12 months.: Over the past 12 months, have you had any training to improve your job skills? (1 = yes, 0 = no)

Desire and Search for Jobs

Would like paid job now or in future: Would you like to have a paid job, either now or in the future? (1 = yes, 0 = no)

Would prefer to spend much more time in paid work: Suppose you could change the way you spend your time, spending more time on some things and less time on others. Which of the following things would you like to spend more time on, which would you like to spend less time on and which would you like to spend the same amount of time on as now? Time in a paid job (1 = much more time, 5 = much less time)

“Very likely” to get job: How likely do you think it is that you would find a job? (1 = very unlikely, 4 = very unlikely)

Searching for job: Are you currently looking for a job (1 = yes, 0 = no)

Actions to find job in past 12 months.: Thinking about the last 12 months, have you done any of the following in order to find a job?

  1. a.

    Registered at a public unemployment agency?

  2. b.

    Registered at a private employment agency?

  3. c.

    Answered advertisements for jobs?

  4. d.

    Advertised for a job in newspaper or journals?

  5. e.

    Applied directly to employers?

  6. f.

    Asked relatives, friends, or colleagues to help you find a job?

Job Preference Questions

Job is just way of earning money: For each of the following statements please tell me how much you agree or disagree with it, thinking of work in general. A job is just a way of earning money—no more (1-strongly agree, 5 = strongly disagree)

Would enjoy job even if not paid: For each of the following statements please tell me how much you agree or disagree with it, thinking of work in general. I would enjoy having a paid job even if I did not need the money (1-strongly agree, 5 = strongly disagree)

Job security: For each of the following, please tell me how important you personally think it is in a job. How important is: Job security (1 = not important at all, 5 = very important)

High income: For each of the following, please tell me how important you personally think it is in a job. How important is: High income (1 = not important at all, 5 = very important)

Opportunities for advancement: For each of the following, please tell me how important you personally think it is in a job. How important is: Good opportunities for advancement (1 = not important at all, 5 = very important)

Interesting job: For each of the following, please tell me how important you personally think it is in a job. How important is: An interesting job (1 = not important at all, 5 = very important)

Working independently: For each of the following, please tell me how important you personally think it is in a job. How important is: A job that allows someone to work independently (1 = not important at all, 5 = very important)

Helping others in job: For each of the following, please tell me how important you personally think it is in a job. How important is: A job that allows someone to help other people (1 = not important at all, 5 = very important)

Useful to society: For each of the following, please tell me how important you personally think it is in a job. How important is: A job that is useful to society (1 = not important at all, 5 = very important)

Flexible hours: For each of the following, please tell me how important you personally think it is in a job. How important is: A job that allows someone to decide their times or days of work (1 = not important at all, 5 = very important)

Prefer being employee to self-employed: Suppose you were working and could choose between different kinds of jobs. Which of the following would you personally choose? Would you choose: being an employee, or being self-employed?

Prefer small firm to large firm: Suppose you were working and could choose between different kinds of jobs. Which of the following would you personally choose? Would you choose: working in a small firm, or working in a large firm?

Prefer private business to govt. job: Suppose you were working and could choose between different kinds of jobs. Which of the following would you personally choose? Would you choose: working in a private business, or working for the government or civil service?

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ali, M., Schur, L. & Blanck, P. What Types of Jobs Do People with Disabilities Want?. J Occup Rehabil 21, 199–210 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-010-9266-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-010-9266-0

Keywords

  • Disability
  • Job preference
  • Employment barriers