HOW TO IMPROVE NATIONAL STATISTICAL OBSERVATION OF DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT USING INTERNATIONAL PRACTICES
Ratification of the Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities denoted transition to a new understanding that disability results from the interaction between persons with impairments and attitudinal and environmental barriers that hinders their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. The objective of this research is to suggest improvements to Russian disability employment statistics in compliance with modern model of disability on the basis of the international experience.Based on the lessons learned from the experience of countries of the European Union, Australia, Canada the authors formulated recommendations on designating groups of people with disabilities and recognizing barriers in the labor market that are be applicable to the existing Rosstat surveys and observations. Firstly, to avoid measurement errors in the number of persons officially recognized as disabled, it is recommended to use a separate question about the degree of disability. Secondly, it is proposed to use questions about longstanding health conditions and basic activities limitations. Thirdly, an additional module to Labor force survey may be included in accordance with experience of the EU countries. This module is aimed at identifying barriers in the labor market for the disabled people. It is reasonable to include in it questions on the work limitations due to health conditions and basic activities limitations, requirements in special assistance, employer awareness of the disability status, health conditions and basic activities limitations of the individual; other reasons of work limitations (not including health reasons). The questions on the barriers in the labor market have never been considered before in the Russian statistics.