Opportunities for participation in work of young disabled people receiving disability pension: a prospective cohort study with a two year follow up

Summary:

Young disabled people with limited abilities to work have a vulnerable position in society and especially in the labour market. Most of them do not get the opportunity to participate, resulting in little work experience. In the Netherlands, a law for young disabled who have no or limited abilities to work, the so-called Wajong law, offers these young people a disability pension. Nevertheless, there are several opportunities for work for young disabled people, like regular work, work in social welfare jobs, daytime activity or voluntary work. However, knowledge regarding the opportunities for work participation of young disabled and the factors that influence the use of these opportunities in practice is hardly available.

This study is designed as a prospective cohort study, with a two-year follow-up. It describes the group of young disabled people receiving social security benefit and examines the factors that influence their opportunities for work participation. The characteristics of the young disabled, in case of regular work also the characteristics of the employer and the policies and programs used to facilitate work participation are studied based on quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Finally, the study will provide predictors for work participation of young disabled people.