Barriers or opportunities? The causes of contingent and part-time work among people with disabilities

Why are workers with disabilities about twice as likely as nondisabled workers to be in contingent and part-time jobs? This study finds that disability income program earnings limits and employer discrimination play relatively minor roles, whereas the primary explanation is health problems that make traditional full-time jobs difficult or impossible for many people with disabilities. Despite the lower pay and other drawbacks of many nonstandard jobs, they enable many people with disabilities to work who otherwise would not be employed. Policy implications are discussed.