Disability Research Consortium

Mathematica's Center for Studying Disability Policy is one of two policy research centers leading the Social Security Administration's Disability Research Consortium (DRC). The six-year cooperative agreement fosters new research from a team of disability policy experts and researchers at Mathematica as well as the University of Illinois-Chicago, the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the University of Washington. 

In its work with the DRC, the Center for Studying Disability Policy and its partners are building the evidence base needed for policy changes to the disability support system. Projects are producing information of immediate value to SSA, policymakers, and other stakeholders and pursuing longer-term strategies designed to support successful policy reforms. The DRC's efforts are guided by the recognition that:

• Policy innovations must have the potential to improve the lives of people with disabilities, reduce growth in public expenditures for their support, and increase the nation’s productivity and welfare;
• Inefficiencies in our current support systems must be addressed;
• Support must be better tailored to individuals’ characteristics and environment;
• Efforts should be made to increase consumer control over the resources provided for in-kind support, which also requires greater consumer responsibility;
• Key stakeholders must be engaged in the process; and
• Major policy changes must take time if they are to be successful.

Research areas include:

International Comparisons

Non-SSA Program Interactions

SSA Disability Program Entry

SSA Program Rules

Well-Being and Behavior of People with Disabilities

Visit the DRC website for more information.