Center for Disability Research

The onset of a severe health impairment can alter the course of an individual's career, in many cases leading to an unexpected and substantial reduction in labor market activity and, ultimately, long-term claiming of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.

The RAND Center for Disability Research (CDR) aims to better understand the social and economic causes and consequences of disability in the United States. Research themes include examining the roles of employers, healthcare markets, knowledge networks and social insurance programs such as SSDI.

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Current Projects

  • People cross a city street on their way to work

    Effects of Employer Health Insurance on Disability Insurance Claiming

    Health insurance and employment decisions often go hand in hand in the U.S. because most health insurance is provided by employers. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) will change the way some workers think about their health care because they will now be able to find coverage through insurance exchanges regardless of health or employment status.

  • Sign indicating wheelchair accessibility

    Employer Accommodation and Labor Supply of Disabled Workers

    Research indicates that only a fourth of newly disabled older workers are accommodated by employers following onset of a disability. Increasing accommodation rates, on the other hand, is more likely to motivate disabled employees to delay leaving the labor force.

  • Disabled man in hospital corridor

    Will the Affordable Care Act Motivate More to Apply for Disability Insurance?

    With passage of the ACA, disability insurance applications could increase because disabled workers may be less inclined to work. A RAND study suggests that non-employment-based health insurance may motivate some disabled workers to leave the workforce but may not lead to increased disability insurance applications.