Demographic Characteristics Rarely Differentiate the Views of Youth With Disabilities

Despite NLTS2 findings that demographic differences between youth with disabilities are associated with significant differences in their experiences in secondary school (Wagner, Marder, Blackorby, et al. 2003) and in the early years after leaving school (Wagner et al. 2005), differences in the views of youth with disabilities who are distinguished by gender, age, household income, or race/ethnicity are not common. For example, there are no statistically significant differences between demographic groups in their self-determination skills or their feelings of competence in expressing their feelings, getting adults to listen to them, or finding information they need. Similarly, statistically significant differences are not found in demographic groups' views regarding being cared about by parents, friends, and other adults and being paid attention to by their families.

Gender differences reflect common stereotypes; adolescent females with disabilities are more likely than males to report they are sensitive to others' feelings and boys are more likely to report they have strong athletic and mechanical abilities. Female teens also are more likely than males to say they turn to friends for support a lot; a similar difference is noted between White and African American youth with disabilities. Age differences are noted only with regard to a lower participation rate in extracurricular activities at school and a lower likelihood of turning to a boss or supervisor for support among older youth with disabilities relative to younger peers. No statistically significant differences are noted between youth with disabilities from households with different levels of annual income.