The Determinants of Wages Among Disabled Americans in Non-STEM and STEM Occupations

What is it about?

More than thirty years ago on July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to guarantee equal protection for people with a range of disabilities, from mental health issues to physical challenges. Three decades after its passage, however, disabled Americans still face higher unemployment than non-disabled working adults, a problem only further compounded by the coronavirus pandemic. The current study investigates the determinants of wages among Americans with disabilities in non-STEM and STEM occupations to explore the feasibility of broadening their participation in STEM careers where they may earn higher wages and thereby, close the wage-gap with their non-disabled peers.

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Photo by Jubbar J. on Unsplash

Photo by Jubbar J. on Unsplash

Why is it important?

More than 1 in 4 adult Americans have a disability limiting their daily functioning to earn living wages. Meanwhile, the shortage of U.S. professionals in STEM fields persists because of underrepresentation of specific groups, such as racial and ethnic minorities, women, and people with disabilities. While the findings suggest that within the Americans with disabilities group, working in a STEM occupation with a college degree in a STEM field was the best route to attain maximum wages, significant wage disparities exist compared to Americans without disabilities. Implications of the findings for Vocational Rehabilitation providers are discussed.

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