How Does Acquiring a Mobility and/or Communication Disability Mid-Career Affect Employment?

I’m honored to receive two research grants from the Analyzing Relationships between Disability, Rehabilitation and Work (ARDRAW) small grant program, funded by the Social Security Administration.

Work Accommodations and Opportunities for Adults Who Have Developed Severe Physical and/or Communication Impairments and Use Assistive Technologies

computer keyboard with one key in blue and the wheelchair symbol on it

In this qualitative study, I conducted semi-structured interviews with adults who acquired mobility and/or communication disabilities mid-life. I”m grateful to the research participants for sharing their stories. My final report to ARDRAW can be found on their website here.

 

Alternative Work Opportunities for Adults Who Have Degenerative Conditions and Implications for Social Security Disability Policy

I am investigated the intersection between Social Security Benefits and occasional, part time work opportunities for people who use assistive technologies and have degenerative conditions. The focus of this study was on people who primarily required assistive technologies for communication and physical computer access. I specifically included crowdsourcing work opportunities in this work- a form of work currently underexplored for people who use assistive technologies. My final report to ARDRAW can be found on their website here, and it includes listings of potentially accessible work opportunities identified during the research study.