This study compared the expense associated with use of personal assistance services (PAS) for individuals with disabilities to the expense incurred by individuals with disabilities who did not use PAS. The intent of this investigation was to assess the disability accommodation costs and benefits of PAS and non-PAS cases.

Key findings point to the costs associated with PAS cases and with cases not involving PAS accommodations. As reported by the employers, the median "one-time cost" of accommodations (not $0) for non-PAS cases was $500. The median "one-time cost" of accommodations (not $0) for PAS cases was $1,850. When $0 cost of accommodations on PAS cases was factored in with "one-time cost" of accommodations for PAS cases, the median cost was $0. For non-PAS cases of accommodations, when $0 cost of accommodations was considered, the outcome was a median cost of $0. The annual cost for PAS accommodations was a median cost of $8,000 in comparison to $2,000 for non-PAS. The median dollar amount estimates of direct benefits were $1,600 for PAS accommodations, similar to $1,500 for non-PAS. The most frequently mentioned benefits from PAS accommodations were (a) increased productivity, (b) increased diversity, (c) retention of a valued employee, (d) improved interactions with co-workers, (e) increased overall company morale, and (f) increased overall company productivity (abstract from: http://www.disabilityandhealthjnl.com/article/S1936-6574(09)00034-X/abstract

Subscription information:
http://www.disabilityandhealthjnl.com/pricing