Department of Labor Forums Discuss Ways to Improve Employment for People with Disabilities

The percentage of people with disabilities in the labor force is at 22.5 percent, according to March statistics released by the U.S. Dept. of Labor (DOL).  According to Assistant Secretary Kathleen Martinez of the DOL’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) “the employment figures for people with disabilities are way too low.”

To help find solutions, the ODEP and partners including the Social Security Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, and other key federal agencies, held a series of six public forums across the country from January through March of this year. The “We’re Listening” series provided opportunities for individuals and consumers, public and private employers, service providers and advocacy organizations to share ideas and strategies to help develop more effective ways to increase employment of people with disabilities.

Report summaries that map out key issues, strategies and recommendations are available on the U.S. Department of Labor Web site as well as video and audio programs of each event.

The national unemployment rate for people with disabilities is at 13.9 percent, which is an improvement from January’s statistic of 15.2 percent.