Performance measurement and data

A popular saying in our field is, "If it gets measured, it gets done." Measuring performance--whether of staff members or of employment outcomes--is crucial for understanding what we're doing well, where we're lacking, and how we can improve. Explore this topic in the resources below.

Data Note 76: Comparing Employment and Poverty Rates of People with and without a Cognitive Disability

This DataNote shares census data from the American Community Survey (ACS) that demonstrates 5-year trends in employment rates and poverty rates for working-age individuals. It compares these rates between individuals without any disabilities to individuals with a cognitive disability.

Date Note 75: The Percentage of People Who Apply to Vocational Rehabilitation and Then Progress to Services Varies Greatly Across States

Progressing to receiving services after applying to vocational rehabilitation (VR) is a key step toward employment. In fiscal year 2020, a total of 33,144 job seekers with intellectual disabilities received VR services across the 50 states and DC. However, the percentage of people who progress to VR services varies greatly across states. This data note explores these differences.

Data Note 71: Summary of Statedata: The National Report on Employment Services and Outcomes Through 2018

This data note summarizes the findings from the National Report on Employment Services and Outcomes Through 2018. Overall, the findings suggest that across data sources, people with IDD experience greater levels of unemployment, underemployment, low wages, and poverty compared to those without disabilities.

Data Note 69: The Impact of COVID-19 on the Employment Status of People With and Without Disabilities

The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated a national economic slowdown leading to millions of American workers being temporarily furloughed or losing their jobs. This Data Notes compares the change in employment of individuals with and without disabilities between February 2020 and three successive months.

Report: Employment and Economic Outcomes by Race, Ethnicity, and Gender for Individuals With and Without Disabilities, 2017

This report describes the employment and economic outcomes for individuals with and without intellectual disabilities in 2017. Results are summarized for the 50 states and the District of Columbia. These data are divided according to race, ethnicity, and gender and are drawn from the American Community Survey, the Rehabilitation Services Administration 911, and the National Core Indicators.