Characteristics of participation of people with disabilities and/or functional limitations in the Brazilian labor market

Abstract

This paper analyzes the presence of people with disabilities in the Brazilian labor market, based on data results of the 2010 Demographic Census. The paper suggests two distinct  sub-categories for this group, namely, “People with Disabilities” (PcD) and “People with Functional Limitations” (PcLF). These categories aim to identify more accurately the dynamics of the labor market attainments of those with high levels of physical, sensory or cognitive impairment (PcD) and those with moderate disabilities (PcLF). Other specific aims of this study are: a) to compare the differences in the income and occupational attainments of these groups; b) to decompose the determinants of the income differences into causes that are due to socioeconomic and occupational characteristics and those related to unobservable factors. The results highlight that the PcD group – who faces adverse conditions in terms of schooling and access to employment that often arise in function of social barriers and obstacles – are disadvantaged in terms of socioeconomic characteristics and occupational attainment as compared with both the group with moderate limitations (PcLF) and the group with no type of disability or functional limitation. Finally, the paper discusses public policies and actions that could improve the occupational attainment of people with disabilities in the Brazilian labor market.