Assistive technology’s potential to improve employment of people with disabilities

Purpose: This study investigates how access to assistive technologies affects employment and earnings among people with disabilities Methods: We first document employment and earnings gaps associated with specific disabilities using 2017-2021 American Community Survey and 2014 Survey of Income and Program Participation data. We then use accommodations data from the 2012, 2019, and 2021 Current Population Survey (CPS) Disability Supplements to examine employment and earnings growth for people with disabilities related both to any, and to technology-based, accommodations. We also provide a case example of a specific new assistive technology: a “wearable robot” that assists people with upper body impairments. Results: Almost all disability types are linked to lower employment and earnings, with especially low employment among those with mobility impairments and particularly low earnings among those with cognitive impairments. About one-tenth of workers with disabilities received any accommodations, and 3-4% received equipment-based accommodations in the 2012-2021 period; these figures increased slightly over the period. The occupations with the highest disability accommodations rates had greater disability employment growth from 2012 to 2021, but disability pay gaps did not decrease more in these occupations. The exoskeleton in our case example can address the estimated employment deficits associated with lifting, reaching, grasping, and pushing/pulling for people with upper body impairments. Conclusion: Assistive technology accommodations have potential for increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.