February 15, 2018
Money Magazine reports that while the employment-to-population ratio for working age people with disabilities is 30.8% compared to 73.3% for those without disabilities, this is a great improvement on the past, and the upward trend is continuing. In fact, the disabled population has experienced year-over-year gains in the job market for the past 21 consecutive months. Factors include:
- A booming economy with an extremely low unemployment rate of 4.1% means employers need to consider applicants they overlooked before.
- Increased technological ability and acceptance of remote and at-home work.
- A realization by employers of higher retention rates among disabled individuals.
- A 2013 requirement for federal contractors to attempt to have 7% of their workforce comprised of individuals with disabilities.