Caregivers of Seriously Disabled Children and their Relationship Issues with the Labor Market

Abstract

There are signifi cant social, physical and emotional burdens associated with the lives of caregivers of seriously disabled children (MacDonald & Callery, 2007; Wakabayashi & Donato, 2005). Caregiving for a disabled member of the family, particularly severely disabled children is frequently provided by women and often leads to isolation from society and interferes with the caregivers’ opportunities to participate in the labor market. The challenge to facilitate support services to caregivers so employment is possible is a challenge to most societies and there are few totally successful remedies. Although there is some research linking the needs of caregivers of seriously disabled children and the labor market consequences for caregivers (Lilly, Laporte, & Coyte, 2007), the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States (Cass, 2006; Gray & Edwards, 2006; Heller, Miller, & Hsieh, 1999; Lilly et al., 2007) have published research in an attempt to study this emotionally charged dilemma. This paper reviews some of the more recent literature pertaining to the challenge of offering caregivers of seriously disabled children an opportunity to participate in the labor market.