WG ILO Labor Force Survey Disability Module (LFS-DM)

About the WG/ILO LFS-DM

The WG / ILO Labor Force Survey Disability Module (LFS-DM) was developed, tested and adopted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Washington Group on Disability Statistics (WG). The questions reflect advances in the conceptualization of disability and use the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) as a conceptual framework.  The module was endorsed for use by the attendees at the 2019 annual WG meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The LFS-DM was intended for inclusion in Labor Force Surveys and is also suitable for use in population-based surveys that collect data on employment. This module is designed specifically for the collection of information on the adult working-age population but may be used for workers of younger ages.  The module includes five sections: (1) disability identification; (2) barriers; (3) accommodation; (4) attitudes; and (5) social protection.

Additional information, including national adaptation guides, variable derivation guides, and LFS integration guide are provided on ILO’s website: https://ilostat.ilo.org/resources/lfs-resources/

Note: In the version provided on the ILO website, the module questions are provided in two separate areas. The WG-SS questions (used for disability identification) are included in the “Roster and essential background characteristics” module listed under “Household modules”. The questions related to barriers to employment, accommodations necessary for employment, attitudes, and social protection are included in the “Functional difficulties and barrier to employment” module listed under “Add-on modules on special work topics”.