CLOSING THE DISABILITY-EMPLOYMENT GAP
THE ISSUE


AVOIDABLE WORK DISABILITY
THE EVIDENCE BASE



The evidence suggests that policy and guidance is tailored to differentiate between populations in order to achieve the best outcome


This would enable

to work together to prevent or reduce the disabling impact of common health problems
This would also allow other definitions of disability to be incorporated, the disabling impact of such as those used in the biopsychosocial and social models:


Definition of disability

Medical
Impairment/disease

Assumptions about work
Individuals are unable to work

Solutions
Medical treatment, rehabilitation

Biopsychosocial
Impairment and psychosocial factors
Individuals are largely able to work if obstacles are removed
Modification of individual, healthcare, welfare and employer interactions

Social
Societal failure
Individuals are excluded from work
Society has to remove barriers

Individuals interacting with systems
Individuals are able to work with changes to relevant systems
Individuals are able to work with changes to relevant systems
Evidence-based recommendations
This approach would promote a culture of collective responsibility around work ability
