Ariel E Schwartz1, Elizabeth G S Munsell2, Elizabeth K Schmidt3, Cristina Colón-Semenza4, Kelsi Carolan5, Dena L Gassner6. 1. Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 940 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA. Electronic address: aeschwar@bu.edu. 2. Boston University, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, 635 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA. Electronic address: emunsell@bu.edu. 3. Boston University, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, 635 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA. Electronic address: ekschmid@bu.edu. 4. University of Connecticut, Kinesiology Department, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, 3107 Horsebarn Hill Road, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA. Electronic address: cristina.colon-semenza@uconn.edu. 5. University of Connecticut School of Social Work, 38 Prospect Street, Hartford, CT, 06103, USA. Electronic address: Kelsi.carolan@uconn.edu. 6. Adjunct Faculty Towson University, Adelphi University, USA. Electronic address: dgassner@towson.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: People with disabilities and chronic health conditions rely on a range of services and supports to complete daily tasks, maintain health, and participate in the community. Preliminary research suggests the COVID-19 pandemic greatly disrupted these services and this population may be particularly susceptible to unemployment. OBJECTIVE: Describe employment and service disruptions for individuals with disabilities and chronic health conditions during the onset of community-based spread of COVID-19 in the United States. METHODS: Adults with disabilities and chronic health conditions completed online surveys to report employment and service changes via multiple choice and open-ended questions. Multiple choice questions were analyzed using descriptive statistics; open-ended responses were coded using content analysis. RESULTS: Participants (n = 109): 79.8% female, 88.1% white, 77.121% completed a 4-year college degree or greater, 61.4% had annual income ≥$45,000. Only 14.9% of survey respondents reported disruptions in employment. On average, 54.0% of service changes were due to discontinuation, including loss of physical therapy, job coaching, community organizations, transportation, and peer supports. Other changes included a shift to virtual service delivery and family members taking the role of service providers. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with chronic health conditions and disabilities experienced service disruptions, even in a sample with considerably more economic, social, and educational privilege than the general population of people with chronic health conditions and disabilities in the United States.
BACKGROUND:People with disabilities and chronic health conditions rely on a range of services and supports to complete daily tasks, maintain health, and participate in the community. Preliminary research suggests the COVID-19 pandemic greatly disrupted these services and this population may be particularly susceptible to unemployment. OBJECTIVE: Describe employment and service disruptions for individuals with disabilities and chronic health conditions during the onset of community-based spread of COVID-19 in the United States. METHODS: Adults with disabilities and chronic health conditions completed online surveys to report employment and service changes via multiple choice and open-ended questions. Multiple choice questions were analyzed using descriptive statistics; open-ended responses were coded using content analysis. RESULTS:Participants (n = 109): 79.8% female, 88.1% white, 77.121% completed a 4-year college degree or greater, 61.4% had annual income ≥$45,000. Only 14.9% of survey respondents reported disruptions in employment. On average, 54.0% of service changes were due to discontinuation, including loss of physical therapy, job coaching, community organizations, transportation, and peer supports. Other changes included a shift to virtual service delivery and family members taking the role of service providers. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with chronic health conditions and disabilities experienced service disruptions, even in a sample with considerably more economic, social, and educational privilege than the general population of people with chronic health conditions and disabilities in the United States.
Authors: Jordi Miró; Elisabet Sánchez-Rodríguez; Alexandra Ferreira-Valente; José Pais-Ribeiro; Antonella Ciaramella Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-11-09 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Darcy Jones McMaughan; Kelley E Rhoads; Crys Davis; Xuewei Chen; Ho Han; Richard A Jones; Carlos C Mahaffey; Bridget M Miller Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2021-12-10
Authors: Abigail Mulcahy; Carl G Streed; Anna Marie Wallisch; Katie Batza; Noelle Kurth; Jean P Hall; Darcy Jones McMaughan Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-02-23 Impact factor: 3.390