Center for Studying Disability Policy at Mathematica Announces December Forum Date

The Connection Between Disability and Poverty to be Focus of Event

Contact: Debra Wright, (202) 554-7576

WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 3, 2009)—The Center for Studying Disability Policy at Mathematica Policy Research announces the seventh forum in a bimonthly lunchtime seminar series aimed at providing policymakers and others with an opportunity to hear about the latest disability policy research findings. “Disability and Poverty: What Is the Connection and What Should We Do About It?” is scheduled for Thursday, December 3, from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. at Mathematica’s office at 600 Maryland Ave., SW, Suite 550, Washington, D.C. Speakers will be Gina Livermore, senior researcher, Mathematica; Shawn Fremstad, director, Bridging the Gaps at the Center for Economic and Policy Research; and Pamela J. Loprest, senior fellow, the Urban Institute.

The speakers will present the policy implications of recent statistics about the extent to which (1) people who live in poverty have disabilities, and (2) those with disabilities experience economic hardship. Gina Livermore will share findings from several recent Mathematica studies focusing on these issues. Shawn Fremstad and Pamela J. Loprest will discuss the implications of these findings for public policy and the official measurement of poverty.

The disability policy forums can be attended in person or via webinar. Go to www.disabilitypolicyresearch.org/researchforums.asp to register to attend or request any necessary accommodations. Lunch will be provided.

The Center for Studying Disability Policy’s mission is to inform disability policy formation with rigorous, objective research and data collected from the people disability policy aims to serve. The center was formed in 2007 to coalesce and further strengthen Mathematica’s extensive disability policy research and data collection efforts, and to ensure that the results of Mathematica’s work are accessible to the disability policy community.

Mathematica, a nonpartisan research firm, provides a full range of research and data collection services, including program evaluation and policy research, survey design and data collection, research methods and standards, and program management/data system support, to improve public well-being. Its clients include federal and state governments, foundations, and private-sector and international organizations. The employee-owned company, with offices in Princeton, N.J., Ann Arbor, Mich., Cambridge, Mass., Chicago, Ill., Oakland, Calif., and Washington, D.C., has conducted some of the most important studies of health care, education, family support, employment, nutrition, and early childhood policies and programs.