The Identification of Acquired Disabilities in the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development Countries: A Scoping Review of Impact on Employment Outcomes

Abstract

Extant research has focused more on entry into employment for people with disabilities and less on the reasons why their employment was terminated. As a result, very little is known about the impact of acquired disabilities on employment outcomes. This scoping review outlines the gaps in knowledge on the identification, definition, and characterization of acquired disabilities, and the impact on employment in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.1 Peer reviewed literature published between January, 1990 and April 2023 was retrieved and screened between September 10, 2022 and April 16, 2023. A total of 43 papers are included and data was extracted focussing on the representation of acquired disabilities in research, disability models, policy, and the views of employers. The results highlighted that the term, ‘acquired disabilities’ is not clearly identified and defined in the literature. Future research needs to study the impact of acquired disabilities on employment to improve interventions and theoretical frameworks that guide employers, disability service providers, and policy makers.

Keywords

• acquired disabilities
• disability employment
• disability models
• disability policy
• vocational rehabilitation