Unable to work? Characteristics of people with blindness and low vision who are out of the labor force

Abstract

BackgroundApproximately half of the people who are blind or have low vision in the U.S. are not in the labor force, yet we know little about their characteristics or reasons for being out of the labor force. Objective/HypothesisThe objective of this study was to compare people with blindness or low vision who reported being unable to work to those out of the labor force for other reasons, unemployed, and employed, and investigate characteristics that differentiate these groups. MethodsOur sample of people with blindness or low vision was selected from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to compare people who reported being unable to work to those in other employment groups utilizing multinomial logistic regression. ResultsThe majority of people out of the labor force reported they were unable to work. People unable to work were likely to have low income, more chronic health conditions, days with poor physical health, and functional disabilities than all other groups. They were also more likely to have access to health care than other groups and were more likely to be male and uncoupled compared to those out of the labor force for other reasons. ConclusionsPeople who reported being unable to work had more chronic health and functional disability issues. Because being out of the labor force puts one at economic risk, further research is indicated to assess policy issues and strategies that might identify employment options that accommodate people with blindness or low vision and additional health issues and disabilities.