Work and employment

Work and employment play a crucial role in the social participation and integration of all members of society. Gainful employment generates income and can contribute to one's self-fulfillment and self-esteem. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to gain a better understanding of the work and employment situation faced by persons with disabilities. 

Our analyses span the entire life course since injury, starting from vocational rehabilitation at the clinic to return to work in the community to eventual retirement. More specifically, in analyzing these employment trajectories and critical transitions we are interested in the role of job matching, community support, and aging. Furthermore, it has to be taken into account that these processes take place within a broader social and economic environment (e.g. labor market dynamics, employers' attitudes and social security systems). By analyzing respective data, we will be able to identify intervention targets at the individual and environmental level and thus contribute to enabling persons with SCI to engage in suitable long-term employment.