An estimated 64 million Americans, adults and children, live with a disability. The RAND Center for Disability Research (CRD) is focused on understanding the impacts of policy, or lack thereof, on equitable access to participation in society for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. These policies include employer accommodations, accessible environments, caregiver support, and the local, state, and federal programs that provide cash benefits, support services, or healthcare coverage to individuals with disabilities.
Research on disability policy spans work from all RAND’s divisions, and the CDR provides a venue to connect this work together and inform the broader policy community about our findings, our expertise, and our capabilities.
In addition to our long-standing research into the disability programs administered by the Social Security Administration, we conduct workers’ compensation-related research within the RAND Institute for Civil Justice, and partner in veteran-related research with the RAND Epstein Family Veterans Policy Research Institute. Other work on public employee disability retirements, caregiver support, disability in the armed Services, accessibility in transportation and housing, and employer accommodations is conducted throughout RAND but featured here. We are also actively engaged in research on the labor market impacts of long COVID (PASC) as well as international perspectives on disability.
Our affiliated researchers are available to discuss their published research and provide their perspectives on disability policy priorities and proposals.
