Age also varies by type of disability. The median age of the disabled population aged 18 to 64 is 42, compared with 36 for the general population, finds an analysis of 1990 SIPP data by Michele Adler of the Department of Health and Human Services. Adler also finds large differences in the share of disabled people who are employed, depending upon the type of impairment they have. Almost half of those with bad backs and visual impairments were employed, as were nearly two-thirds of those with hearing impairments. Disabled workers are more likely than others to work part-time, which explains some of the earnings difference between them and other workers.
Education explains some of the earnings difference, too.
Forty-eight percent of nondisabled workers have at least some college, but this is true for just 40 percent of the mildly disabled and 34 percent of the severely disabled. In other words, disabled people are often more likely to work in lower-paying jobs. Those with mild disabilities fall in between. Twenty-six percent of nondisabled employees have these jobs, compared with 20 percent of mildly disabled and 18 percent of severely disabled employees. The trend did not hold for businesses of all sizes, however.