Women Military Veterans, Disability, and Employment

Abstract: This study compares the disability status of female veterans to non-veterans and male veterans using American Community Survey data pooled from 2008, 2009, and 2010. In practice, both female and male veterans who have a service-related disability and are involved in the civilian labor force should familiarize themselves with their employment rights under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). In policy, the Department of Labor (DOL) might continue enforcing federal laws to protect veterans with service-related disabilities and help them gain employment in the civilian workforce. The VA and the DOL might also partner to assist female veterans in obtaining jobs and translating skills to the workforce. Suggestions for future study include investigating female veterans’ civilian work lives to gain insight into potential long term effects on the labor market for both the women and others, as well as using data involving institutionalized populations.