This report is one of a series based on a comprehensive survey of recipients of National Insurance Institute disability pensions, including the general disability pension, the special services pension, the work injury pension, the mobility pension, and the pension for victims of terrorist acts. This survey, which covered people living in the community, was conducted between late 1998 and 1999 by the National Insurance Institute and the Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute.
Two reports concern recipients of the general disability pension and the work injury pension. The first report (Strosberg et al., 2004) focused on the background characteristics of this population (including health status and medical problems, education, and functional ability in various areas), as well as on patterns of use of services that promote physical and psychological rehabilitation and daily functioning. The present report addresses the employment characteristics of general disability and work injury pension recipients. It presents the employment rates and income levels of those among these two groups who are employed (separately), and analyzes the relationship between background characteristics, being employed and the nature of the employment. It also addresses the employment history prior to becoming disabled and the willingness to work of non-employed recipients.
This overview of the employment situation of the disabled provides a background for policies that promote their integration into the labor force and strengthen incentives to work, especially among general disability pension recipients. The information has already been used by the National Insurance Institute and other policy forums, especially the Laron Commission, as a basis for planning and developing policy. The findings indicate that the employment rate of those disabled by a work injury is even higher than the average employment rate of the general population. However, the employment rate of general disability pension recipients is very low, and undoubtedly could be increased by focused efforts, which take into account the pension recipients’ health limitations and the types of assistance they need.
Citations in the professional and academic literature
Azaiza, F., Rimmerman, A., Croitoru, T., & Naon, D. (2011). Participation in leisure activities by Arab adults with intellectual disabilities living in the community. International Journal of Social Welfare, 20(1), 97-103.
Azaiza, F., Croitoru, T., Rimmerman, A., & Naon, D. (2012). Participation in leisure activities of Jewish and Arab adults with intellectual disabilities living in the community. Journal of Leisure Research, 44(3), 379-391.