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Physical Disability and Labor Market Discrimination: Evidence from a Field Experiment

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  • Charles Bellemare
  • Marion Goussé
  • Guy Lacroix
  • Steeve Marchand

Abstract

We investigate the determinants and extent of labor market discrimination toward people with acute physical disabilities (wheelchair users) using data from a large scale field experiment conducted in the province of Québec (Canada). Applications (cover letters and CVs) were randomly sent to 1477 private firms operating in two urban regions (Montréal and Québec City) advertising open positions requiring various skill levels. The applications were randomly generated to cover a broad spectrum of potential determinants of discrimination (gender, skill level, work history, workplace adjustment costs, etc.). We find that average callback rates of disabled and non-disabled applicants is 14.4% and 31%, respectively, yielding a differential callback rate of 46%. We also investigate whether the differential may result from accessibility constraints related to the physical infrastructures where firms are located (floor and access to an elevator, availability of wheelchair, etc.). The latter are found to have no explanatory power. In addition, applications which explicitly mention that the candidate is eligible to a government subsidy to cover the cost of workplace adaptations and assistive technology do not yield higher callback rates.

Suggested Citation

  • Charles Bellemare & Marion Goussé & Guy Lacroix & Steeve Marchand, 2017. "Physical Disability and Labor Market Discrimination: Evidence from a Field Experiment," Cahiers de recherche 1703, Chaire de recherche Industrielle Alliance sur les enjeux économiques des changements démographiques.
    • Handle: RePEc:lvl:criacr:1703
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Carroll, Eamonn & Timmons, Shane & McGinnity, Frances, 2023. "Experimental tests of public support for disability policy," Research Series, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), number RS159, June.
    2. Asya Bellia, 2021. "How do different policy combinations affect the labour market attachment of disabled individuals? A review of the literatur," Discussion Papers 2021/283, Dipartimento di Economia e Management (DEM), University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
    3. Louise Philomene Mbaye, 2018. "Handicap et discriminations dans l'accès à l'emploi : un testing dans les établissements culturels," Working Papers halshs-01878461, HAL.
    4. Morley Gunderson & Byron Lee & Guenther Lomas, 2022. "The importance of prejudice against persons with disabilities," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 55(1), pages 138-155, February.
    5. Louise Philomène Mbaye, 2018. "Handicap et discriminations dans l’accès à l’emploi : un testing dans les établissements culturels," TEPP Research Report 2018-04, TEPP.
    6. Bjørnshagen, Vegar & Rooth, Dan-Olof & Ugreninov, Elisabeth, 2023. "Disability, Gender and Hiring Discrimination: A Field Experiment," IZA Discussion Papers 16217, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    7. Sylvain Chareyron & Yannick L'Horty & Philomène Mbaye & Pascale Petit, 2022. "Impacts of quota policy and employer obligation to adapt workstations on discrimination against people with disabilities: Lessons from an experiment," TEPP Working Paper 2022-17, TEPP.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Discrimination; disabilities;

    JEL classification:

    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing
    • J68 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Public Policy

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