Survey of Disability and Work, 1978: [United States]

The Survey of Disability and Work was designed to examine the economic, medical, and social consequences of limitation in work activity for the disabled person and the person's family, including eligibility for public income-maintenance programs. This study includes information on disability program provisions and the public's knowledge of these government programs, as well as the source for this information and advice as to whether or not to apply for any of the various kinds of benefits. Other objectives of this survey were to examine work incentives and income adequacy as they affect a disabled person's inclination to apply for benefits or to return to the labor force once on the rolls. Measures of medical severity (in terms of symptoms and diagnoses) were established, as well as, the number and characteristics of the disabled, the proportion of different forms of health problems, national disability rates for different races and age groups, and the proportion of the disabled whose total family income falls below the poverty level. Included in this data collection are variables on the labor force, work experience and limitations, job satisfaction, attitudinal data, family income and background, government programs, and disability benefits.