The Science of Aging Well: How Your Beliefs Affect Your Health
Unfortunately, those who live with disabilities are more likely to fall into low SES income brackets. According to the World Health Organization, 80% to 90% of persons with disabilities in developing countries are unemployed. This trend holds true in the US, too. Data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggest that 78% of disabled Americans are currently unemployed.
Disability and unemployment can cause financial stress and lead to an array of additional health complications. Those from lower SES households typically have limited access to high-quality healthcare, too, and are unfairly impacted by barriers to physical and mental healthcare.
Unemployment and Financial Stress
Anyone who’s experienced unemployment understands the stress and anxiety that comes with job searching. Quality of life quickly deteriorates without a stable form of income. People who are unemployed may experience loneliness and social isolation, too, without a workplace to form strong social bonds.
Unfortunately, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are usually inadequate and do not alleviate financial fears for people with disabilities. The American Psychological Association (APA) reports that persons with disabilities are more likely to be unemployed and live in poverty.
However, most people who live with a disability want to work. Data collected by the American Association of People with Disabilities show that two-thirds of people with disabilities want to work but are unable to find adequate support to facilitate their return to work. As a result, the average American with a disability earns $10,000 less than the average American without a disability.
Finding a progressive, inclusive workplace can be challenging. However, disabled employees who do enter the workforce can ask for ADA accommodations without fear of reprisal. Common accommodations include:
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- Flexible lighting
- Large-print materials
- Assistive technology
- Alternative work schedules
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Employers are legally bound to be receptive to ADA accommodations. This can help folks with disabilities increase their earning potential and improve their quality of life.
Barriers to Healthcare
Research published in Frontiers in Public Health shows that there is a strong relationship between SES and healthcare access. This should come as little surprise to anyone who has lived close to or below the poverty line. Financial resources are largely proportional to health status and can cause a negative feedback loop of poor health, low income, and inadequate treatment.
People with disabilities may experience heightened barriers to healthcare based on their age and SES. Americans with disabilities who are approaching retirement age may be stressed about the financial implications of necessary treatments. This can jeopardize their quality of life in an effort to save money and alleviate their family’s financial strains.
Telehealth has been heralded as the solution to healthcare inequities for people with disabilities from low SES households. Telehealth makes access to healthcare easier for folks with disabilities as appointments that are held online mitigate the need for transport and alleviate fears around visiting doctor’s offices.
However, many telehealth sites are inaccessible to people with disabilities. More must be done to improve accessible design in telehealth care. Users with hearing loss or vision-related disabilities may need accessible design elements like live chat and captions to help facilitate navigation. Telehealth sites should also use strong color contrasts and interactive elements that are screen-reader friendly.
Telehealth should be used to improve healthcare literacy, too. People from low SES backgrounds are more likely to experience suboptimal use of healthcare services. This may be due to lower healthcare literacy and lower educational attainment.
Education Attainment
In a society that champions equality, disability should not impact educational attainment. However, research constantly shows that folks with disabilities are more likely to experience stigmas in education that undermine their ability to pursue further education. Education-related stigmas are exacerbated by low SES status and often lead to discrimination at school.
Fortunately, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) protects the rights of children with disabilities in education. Qualifying for support under the IDEA ensures that children have access to the accommodations and support they need to find success in education.
The IDEA is a powerful tool in the fight against discrimination and inequality. However, according to the APA, folks from low SES backgrounds with disabilities are still overrepresented amongst America’s undereducated. 25% of students with disabilities fail to complete high school and only 15% have a bachelor’s degree. Clearly, more must be done to end the negative cycle of poor educational attainment, lowered income, and poor quality of life.
Conclusion
Socioeconomic class is a strong predictor of quality of life. Unfortunately, people with disabilities are more likely to come from low SES households and are less likely to find meaningful employment. This can undermine healthcare literacy and lead to unplanned hospital visits and increased financial strain. More must be done to close the SES gap and ensure that people with disabilities have a fair shot at improving their socioeconomic status.
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