The Impact of Childhood Disabilities on Families and Workplace Productivity

Nearly 2 million children in the U.S. have a serious disability or are critically ill. The impact on their families is profound:

• 53 hours per week spent on caregiving
• 73% have at least one parent who quits or reduces hours – usually mom
• 54% live under serious financial strain
• Nearly 5 times more likely for a single parent to be a mother
• 50% less likely for mothers to become or continue to be executives
• 70% higher rate of divorce within first 5 years of diagnosis

Childhood disability also has costs for employers. At a typical large employer with 50,000 U.S. employees, 2 employees every week are newly impacted by a severe child disability. This can lead to a potential loss of $33m per year in leave-related costs, lower productivity, and turnover.