QUESTION: How many people with disabilities are working?

ANSWER: The statistics vary depending on the source data and the definition of disability. The numbers also vary according to the type and severity of the disabilities included. Census Bureau data show that only about 30% of working age adults with severe disabilities are working. The Office of Disability Employmet Policy (ODEP) is working with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) at the Department of Labor to develop tools for collecting current and more detailed employment data about people with disabilities. For more information about BLS's efforts, contact Tom Hale at 202-691-5454 (voice) or hale_t@bls.gov (e-mail).

Additional statistical information on people with disabilities is available from the Census Bureau. Additional sources of disability statistics can be found online at DisabilityInfo.gov.

FAQ's

What is the Department of Labor's 
Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)?

Are there any specific financial assistance programs or 
scholarships available for individuals with disabilities who want to go to college?

How many people with disabilities are there?

How many people with disabilities are working?

How many people with disabilities are in the United States?

How does the federal government define "disability"?

What is National Disability Employment Awareness Month?

Does the Office of Disability Employment Policy have "disability awareness" materials that can be used for NDEAM events, or for other trainings and workshops for employers and other organizations?

Where can I find more information on specific disabilities or medical conditions?

Can DOL's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) help people with disabilities find jobs?

I'm a person with a disability and I would like to work for the federal government. How do I get a job with the government?

I am a person with a disability. Where can I get information and financial assistance to start my own business?

I have recently become disabled and cannot do the work I had been doing in the past. Where can I get financial assistance for training or retraining?

What can I do if I think my employer or supervisor is discriminating against me because of my disability?

Is there anything that my employer must provide to help me do my job and accommodate my disability?

What can I do if I am having difficulty with disability payments from my insurance company?