2020 Survey: Frequently Asked Questions

NEDS Logo with Frequently Asked Questions

 

First-of-its-kind Survey on Experiences of the “ADA Generation” in the Workplace

2020 Kessler Foundation National Employment and Disability Survey: 

Recent College Graduates  (KFNEDS:RCG)

 

National Release Webinar – June 3, 2020
#KFSurvey2020  #ADA30  #ThanksToTheADA  #ADAgeneration

 

What is the 2020 Kessler Foundation National Employment and Disability Survey: Recent College Graduates?

Kessler Foundation awarded a $250,000 Signature Employment Grant to the University of New Hampshire (UNH) to conduct the Survey. The Survey compares the higher education experiences and employment outcomes of recent college graduates with and without disabilities across disability types.

 

How was the Kessler Foundation Employment Survey conducted?

The UNH Institute on Disability contracted with Qualtrics to conduct a survey of adults ages 20 to 35, with and without disabilities, who graduated from college within the past five years with an Associate’s degree or higher. This pre-screened national sample of 4,738 graduates completed the Survey online and remained anonymous. The Survey, consists of multiple choice and open-ended questions, took approximately 15 minutes to complete. 

 

What is unique about the Kessler Foundation Employment Survey?

The 2020 KFNEDS-RCG is the first national survey to look at the experiences of college graduates with disabilities from “The ADA Generation” - students coming of age under the Americans with Disabilities Act that is celebrating its 30th Anniversary on July 26, 2020. This survey is the third in a groundbreaking series focused on deconstructing the employment barriers and key workplace influencers for people with disabilities. 

 

What variables were examined by the Kessler Foundation Employment Survey?

Graduates were surveyed about their experiences in higher education and job search or employment status since graduation. Main topic areas included educational characteristics, academic engagement, use of career or disability services and accommodations, and career preparation activities during college. Other questions explored post-college employment experiences including impact of college experience on career outcomes, barriers encountered looking for work, and job characteristics, satisfaction and/or accommodations.  

 

Why is the Kessler Foundation Employment Survey important?

This Survey provides insights into undergraduate pursuits, current jobs, and job search activities of recent college graduates establishing the basis for higher education and employment. This information can be used to encourage high schools, transition specialists, higher education professionals and employers to adopt promising practices that have potential to positively influence employment outcomes for Americans with disabilities. 

 

How will the results of the Kessler Foundation Employment Survey be used?

The Survey offers important new information for transition age students and their families, career counselors, employers, policymakers, legislators, and the disability community. The results show that for young adults with disabilities, a college degree is the pathway to employment.

 

Where can we find more information on the Kessler Foundation Employment Survey?

Visit KesslerFoundation.org/KFSurvey2020 for the Press Release, Executive Summary, Survey Results, PowerPoint slides, and Survey questions. 

 

About Kessler Foundation

Kessler Foundation, a major nonprofit organization in the field of disability, is a global leader in rehabilitation research that seeks to improve cognition, mobility and long-term outcomes, including employment, for people with neurological disabilities caused by diseases and injuries of the brain and spinal cord. Kessler Foundation leads the nation in funding innovative programs that expand opportunities for employment for people with disabilities. Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability issue National Trends in Disability Employment (#nTIDE), a customized analysis and monthly report that compares employment data for people with and without disabilities based on monthly reports by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Learn more by visiting Kessler Foundation.

 

About University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability

The Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire was established in 1987 to provide a coherent university-based focus for the improvement of knowledge, policies and practices related to the lives of persons with disabilities and their families. Learn more by visiting The Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire.

 

Read about the 2015 Kessler Foundation National Employment & Disability Survey or the 2017 Kessler Foundation National Employment & Disability Survey: Supervisor Perspectives