Perceived Barriers to Employment in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

This study assessed the factors influencing employment for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Employment status and the perceived barriers to employment were assessed in a home interview with 97 community-based individuals, mean time 6.6 years postinjury. More than half of the unemployed individuals with SCI, with stated motivation to work, remain unemployed. The perception of barriers and of factors helpful to employment differs significantly between employed and unemployed individuals. Lack of transportation was ranked as the number one barrier among the unemployed. Lack of Social Security benefits was ranked as the number two perceived barrier among the employed and seventh in the unemployed.