Exploring the Self-Employment Outcomes of Black Individuals With Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The sudden Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak exacerbated employment challenges for Black people with disabilities. As a counter, many pivoted from the traditional work environment to self-employment. Therefore, this study first analyzed select phases of the Household Pulse Survey (HPS) descriptively and then utilized probit models to assess the relationship between specific disabilities (audio, visual, and mobility) and self-employment, focusing on gender difference. The results indicated that Black older adults (median age 55 years old) with disabilities, Black men with disabilities, and Black individuals with hearing and visual impairments were more likely to engage in self-employment during the COVID-19 pandemic when compared to their respective groups. Moreover, these results underscore the role of age, gender, and disability type in shaping self-employment outcomes. The study's findings have implications for career counseling, policies, and services addressing employment disparities for Black individuals with and without disabilities.