Research Database: Article Details
| Citation: | Hughes, C. and Avoke, S.K. (2010). The Elephant in the Room: Poverty, Disability, and Employment. Research & Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 35 (1), 5-14. |
| Title: | The Elephant in the Room: Poverty, Disability, and Employment |
| Authors: | Hughes, C. and Avoke, S.K. |
| Year: | 2010 |
| Journal/Publication: | Research & Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities |
| Publisher: | TASH |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.2511/rpsd.35.1-2.5 |
| Research summary: | https://projecte3.com/poverty-disability-employment/ |
| Full text: | http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.2511/rpsd.35.1-2.5 |
| Peer-reviewed? | Yes |
| NIDILRR-funded? | Not reported |
Structured abstract:
| Background: | After 40 years of legislation designed to improve education and post-education outcomes for students both with and without disabilities, a disproportionate number of adults with disabilities, especially those with experiences of poverty, are unemployed or underemployed. |
| Purpose: | The authors examine the source and extent of issues that lead to high poverty and unemployment rates of people with disabilities, focusing on those with severe disabilities and from culturally diverse backgrounds. They suggest that a source of the problem is the Unites States’ failure to acknowledge the extent and effects of poverty, and provide recommendations to address barriers resulting from the intersection of poverty, disability, and employment. |
| Setting: | United States |
| Findings: | The authors recommend 1) acknowledgment of the problem, 2) increased public awareness, 3) collaboration between disability and poverty researchers, 4) improved educational initiatives, 5) school accountability for post-school outcomes, 6) increased work experiences and social skill education for students, and 7), a universal definition of severe disabilities. |
| Conclusions: | The authors conclude that the first step toward finding a solution is to recognize that there is a problem. They encourage readers to expand their awareness of the intersection of poverty, disability, and employment and to share this information with others. In addition, they recommend collaborative efforts between federal and state policy makers, the business community, schools, adult services, and community partners. |
| Disabilities served: |
Multiple disabilities |
| Populations served: |
Transition-age youth (14 - 24) Consumers receiving federal financial assistance through TANF SSI and SSDI recipients |