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.

DataNote: The Amercian Community Survey

The American Community Survey (ACS) offers a broad population view of employment outcomes for working-age people with disabilities. This Data Note summarizes findings from an analysis of 2021 ACS data on employment rates, weeks worked, and poverty rates of people with and without disabilities across the US.

DataNote: Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Outcomes of People with Intellectual Disabilities: 2013–2022

This DataNote describes the characteristics, services received, and employment outcomes of adults with an (ID) who exited from the vocational rehabilitation (VR) program during fiscal years (FY) 2013 through 2022, in the 50 states and the District of Columbia (DC). We compare the findings of adults with ID to the findings of people with other disabilities.

Ethnic Disparities in Vocational Rehabilitation Access and Employment Outcomes Among Youth and Young Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

DataNote 78 explores the employment outcomes of youth with intellectual disabilities of Hispanic ethnicity compared to non-Hispanics.

Older Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Recipients Work Less Frequently Than Their Younger Counterparts, But Use Work Incentive 1619(B) at Higher Rates

DataNote 77 examines Social Security Administration data that shows that younger SSI recipients were three times more likely to be working than older SSI recipients. However, younger recipients participated in work incentives at a lower rate compared to older SSI recipients.

DataNote: 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.

DateNote: 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.

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: Racial Disparities in Earnings Among Individuals with IDD

This Data Notes examines racial disparities in earnings and hours worked among individuals with cognitive disability and no disability.

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.

Disability and Occupation

In this data note, researchers explore the prevalence of people with disabilities within occupational groupings by utilizing the occupational classification system within the American Community Survey (2018).

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