About Hiring People with Disabilities

According to the N.O.D./Harris Surveys of Americans with Disabilities, the Employment Gap is the difference in the rates of employment between people with and without disabilities. 

Only 32% of Americans with disabilities aged 18 to 64 are working, compared to 81% of those without disabilities in this age category. 

Barriers to employment create the widest participation gap for Americans with disabilities. Not surprisingly, of those people with disabilities who are not working, more than two out of three say they would like to work. We live in a society where a career is a major defining element of one's identity. Work impacts one's ability to take part in other critical aspects of life, from home ownership to transportation, access to health care, ability to socialize, pursuit of advanced education, and active participation in one's community. 

The United States Department of Labor states, "Today more than ever, businesses need people with a demonstrated ability to adapt to different situations and circumstances. And perhaps more than any other group, people with disabilities possess precisely these attributes. On a daily basis, people with disabilities must think creatively about how to solve problems and accomplish tasks. In the workplace, this resourcefulness translates into innovative thinking, fresh ideas and varied approaches to confronting business challenges and achieving success. What's more, research shows that consumers both with and without disabilities favor businesses that employ people with disabilities."