Disability and Employment Inclusion in a Transforming Economy: Epidemiological Evidence from National Survey Data

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Social Justice
• Disability Studies

Background:

• Employment inclusion for persons with disabilities is a global public health and social justice issue.
• Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 reform agenda intersects with disability and gender, creating unique challenges for labor participation.
• Understanding these dynamics is crucial for promoting equitable employment opportunities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine employment patterns among Saudis with disabilities.
• To identify structural determinants influencing their labor participation.
• To explore policy pathways for enhancing disability employment inclusion.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a cross-sectional analytical design with nationally representative data from the 2017 Saudi Disability Survey.
• Employed weighted descriptive statistics and grouped logistic regression to analyze correlates of employment.
• Conducted counterfactual simulations to estimate policy impacts on inclusion.

Main Results:

• National employment for persons with disabilities was 18.5%, with significant gender and severity disparities.
• Men were 2.64 times more likely to be employed than women.
• Increased disability severity reduced employment odds by approximately 40%, while access to Ministry of Labor and Social Development (MLSD) services showed a modest positive effect (AOR=1.21).

Conclusions:

• Employment inclusion for Saudis with disabilities is significantly influenced by gender and functional severity.
• Existing institutional services have a limited but positive impact on inclusion.
• Multi-sectoral strategies integrating rehabilitation, workplace accessibility, and gender-equity reforms are essential for advancing national inclusion goals.