More than a Million Disabled Workers Search for Jobs

Economic climate challenges the approximately 1.25 million disabled Americans looking for work

Trenton, NJ (March 5, 2008) – Although overall employment figures have held relatively steady during these uncertain economic times, many unemployed Americans remain concerned about their ability to find a job. While finding a job can be difficult for anyone, it can be even harder for those with a disability. Even during sound economic times, the employment rate for those with a disability has been about 42% lower than the employment rate of non-disabled persons.

According to the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Demographics and Statistics at Cornell University, the employment rate of disabled working-age people was 37.7% in 2006, while the employment rate of working-age people without disabilities was 79.7%. The Center also estimates the number of disabled Americans actively looking for work at 1.25 million.

A new Web site is striving to help these disabled individuals find jobs. Launched in November 2007, www.AccessibleEmployment.org provides prospective employers with one central place to post employment positions and search resumes of qualified disabled candidates. In addition, www.AccessibleEmployment.org also allows potential job candidates to post their resumes for review by prospective employers who have made a commitment to include people with disabilities in their workforce.

One explanation for the challenge faced by disabled candidates in finding work is a perception by employers that the cost to hire and employ such individuals is high. Common concerns focus on the cost of accommodation, additional cost to company health plans, job performance, quality and quantity of work, flexibility, and attendance. What many employers do not know is that the costs of accommodating a disabled employee are rather low. According to the Job Accommodation Network, the average cost of workplace accommodations in 2006 was $600 or less.

Moreover, many employers can earn tax credits and experience a savings in health care costs when they hire a disabled employee because many individuals with disabilities are covered by Medicare and Medicaid. In addition, according to the U.S. Department of Education, workers with disabilities are rated consistently as average or above average in performance, quality and quantity of work, flexibility, and attendance.

Accessible Employment (www.accessibleemployment.org) is a national job board dedicated to including disabled employees in today’s workforce. Twenty-first century employers will require a diverse pool of skilled job candidates to accomplish their goals. Our site is dedicated to closing the gap between employers searching for qualified workers and disabled candidates searching for a job.

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Editor’s Note: For an interview opportunity with a disability workforce expert, please contact Michael Schneider at (973) 868-1000


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