Survey: Majority of disabled people are 'striving to work'

Disabled Americans are overcoming challenges and contributing to the economy, according to a new survey released today.

The Kessler Foundation worked with the University of New Hampshire to interview more than 3,000 disabled people about their workforce participation. It explored important angles previously missed by the U.S. Census Bureau such as the obstacles a disabled person must overcome to find and keep a job and the number of people who do so.

Andrew Houtenville, the director of research, called the survey a “way of describing how active people with disabilities are. … It’s not just about sitting back and taking benefits.”

The survey found fewer than 6 percent of respondents had never worked. Another 69 percent fell into a category the survey called “striving to work,” meaning currently working, looking for work, or working at least once since their disability.

The survey looked into barriers such as lack of education or transportation, employers’ and co-workers’ attitudes, and lower pay than others in the same job.

More than half of the respondents reported overcoming their difficulties with co-workers.

Laurie McCray said she had to persevere to keep her son with Down syndrome involved in the community. It paid off. Her son, now 25 years old, successfully works at four part-time jobs.

Foundation president Rodger DeRose said he hopes the survey will change the perception the government has of people like McCray’s son. He also said the survey could bring recognition to the many successful disabled workers.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.