Personal Characteristics of Respondents
The typical respondent was female, white, between 40 and 60 years old, possessed an education ranging from partial completion of high school to an associate’s degree, indicated ‘fair’ to ‘very poor’ health and a low energy-level. Respondents were limited in their social activity due to poor physical health or emotional problems, and reported possessing multiple physical or psychiatric diagnoses. The average respondent was either never married or divorced and did not have children living with them. Their primary disability appeared gradually over time and was more likely to be a neurological disorder or arthritis. This characterization of the typical respondent is general in nature and is based upon the average response on a wide range of demographic variables. General demographic information was collected from survey respondents to develop a clearer picture of the population of individuals whose employment has been affected by a disability. Respondents were asked to provide information about their gender, race, age, marital status, level of education, and home community. The range of experience among respondents can be quite different than the typical as it is portrayed above. Tables 25 through 37 below detail the demographic make-up of respondents for a more accurate picture of their characteristics.
