Reports and Statistics on the Employment of Individuals with Disabilities and Vocational Rehabilitation

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Page last updated: 11/06/09

Statement on Bureau of Labor Statistics Release of Unemployment rate for individuals with a disability: Unemployment Rate Response

Unemployment and Labor Participation Rate of Individuals with Disabilities

Monthly Unemployment Rate For Individuals with Disabilities
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) monthly unemployment rate and labor participation rate now includes a subcategory for individuals with disabilities (the first report was released in February 2009). 

The unemployment rate includes individuals who actively sought employment within the last four weeks or who are expecting a recall after a layoff, are not working, and are available to work.  The rate does not measure individuals who are discouraged or otherwise not in the labor force, and does include individuals who reside in an institution but who may be actively seeking employment.  The unemployment number is not seasonally adjusted and therefore should not be compared with seasonally adjusted rates.  The typically reported monthly overall unemployment rate is seasonally adjusted.   

October Unemployment Rates (not seasonally adjusted)   
Individuals with a reported disability: 16.5%
(not residing in an institution)
Individuals without a reported disability: 9.2%   

The labor participation rate includes individuals who are either employed or unemployed by the above definition.  Individuals who are not employed, or did not seek employment in the last four weeks, are not awaiting a recall, or are not available to work are not included in this rate.  As with the unemployment rate, this number does not include individuals who reside in an institution and is not seasonally adjusted.

October Labor Participation Rates (not seasonally adjusted)  
Individuals with a reported disability: 21.7%
(not residing in an institution)
Individuals without a reported disability: 70.5

The Unemployment Rate for Individuals with Disabilities is Not 70%

It has been often misstated that the unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities is around 70%.  This is the result of mistakenly subtracting the employment rate for individuals with disabilities, which has been in the range of 30% – 37% for the past several decades, from 100%.  The unemployment rate is defined differently than the employment rate and therefore a simple subtraction of the employment rate from 100% is incorrect.  The above link is to an article from Cornell University which describes in detail why the unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities has never been 70%.

 

Statistics on the Employment of Individuals with Disabilities

Cornell University Disability Statistics Online
A project of Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR), Disability and Employment Institute funded by the National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). The website provides some of the most up to date and comprehensive statistics on disability and employment, including the employment rate, at both a state and national level.

U.S. Census Bureau, Disability Page
Contains publications on disability statistics and allows for customized information on disability, employment, and other factors listed at the municipal, state, and national levels, as well as other geographic configurations.

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ADA Statistics
Information on the number and handling of complaints (know as a “charge”) of employment discrimination by the EEOC under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Reports on the Vocational Rehabilitation System

 

U.S. Government Accountability Office, Improved Information and Practices May Enhance State Agency Earnings Outcomes for SSA Beneficiaries (May 2007) [PDF] 

 Synopsis of GAO Report, David T. Hutt, National Disability Rights Network

 Reports on Special Minimum Wage

U.S. Department of Labor Fact Sheet #39: The Employment of Workers with Disabilities at Special Minimum Wages [PDF]

U.S. Government Accountability Office, Special Minimum Wage Program: Centers Offer Employment and Support Services to Workers With Disabilities, But Labor Should Improve Oversight (September 2001) [GAO-01-886]

Virginia Commonwealth University and the Institute for Community Inclusion University of Massachusetts Boston, Results of a National Survey of Community Rehabilitation Providers Holding Special Wage Certificates (October 2007) [PDF]