Research & Statistics

In a report issued in the December 2008 Current Population Reports the U.S. Census Bureau reported that of the 291.1 million people in the 2005 population of the United States, 54.4 million, or 18.7 percent, reported some level of disability, and 35 million (12.0 percent of all people) reported a severe disability. This link opens a PDF document.

Facilitates the sharing of information and expertise in rehabilitation research between the United States and other countries and maintains an international rehabilitation research database that enables users to locate research in their field by country.

February 2009 IssueLab offers a collection of research resources and a podcast on the topic of disability and employment.

Analyzes 10 conditions and impairments on the basis of prevalence and policy relevance to determine if differences exist among these groups and between these groups and the general population.

A September 2007 report on the needs and challenges of American businesses in employing people with disabilities.

September 2006 report from the Interagency Committee on Disability Research's event, "Employer Perspectives on Workers with Disabilities: A National Summit to Develop a Research Agenda." The report is the result of feedback from researchers, business leaders, service providers, policy-makers and advocates. Link opens a Word document.

Information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on the employment status of people with a disability during February - March 2009. Information can also be downloaded in PDF format.

2007 report from the National Council on Disability (NCD) reviews issues and barriers relating to the employment of people with disabilities.

Findings from five separate exploratory studies on issues related to the labor force participation of persons with disabilities.

U.S. Census Bureau 2002 press release highlights key facts about people with disabilities, including economic disparity.

March 2009 paper from the National Council on Disability examines the status of employment of people with disabilities in the federal government and makes recommendations for improving federal hiring and advancement of employees with disabilities. Link opens a PDF document.

Findings from a survey conducted by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics regarding accessibility of transportation systems for people with disabilities. Document is in .pdf format.

A comprehensive report addressing strategies to reverse the declining participation rate of federal employees with targeted disabilities. The entire report may be downloaded in PDF format.

Provides an in-depth description of employment among persons with disabilities and makes comparisons to the general population, based on the 1984 Survey of Income and Program Participation.

A report of the Michigan Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights regarding employment rehabilitation services in the state of Michigan.

This GAO report examines federal disability programs, how to strengthen partnerships and coordination for modernizing programs, and ways to modernize measures of program success. The report also reviews next steps for achieving a 21st century disability policy. This link opens a PDF document.

Report issued on January 15, 2008 by the National Council on Disability (NCD) that examines employment, housing, education, transportation and other federal policies that affect people with disabilities.

Report regarding progress made by the Task Force.

Summary of focus group findings from a Department of Health and Human Services report which examines the role various employment support programs play in helping people with disabilities find and maintain employment.

Summary of information collected during three sets of focus groups conducted for a study on employment supports for people with disabilities sponsored by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Examines key operational issues and implementation challenges associated with serving welfare recipients with disabilities. Document is in .pdf format.

January 2009 report from the Labor Department's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) provides findings from the most extensive survey in history of employers' actions and attitudes toward employing people with disabilities. This link opens a Word document.

Materials from the 2006 StatsRRTC (Rehabilitation Research and Training Center) State-of-the-Science Conference. Includes trends and statistics on the employment, health and socio-economic status of people with disabilities.

This report, released on August 11, 2008 by the National Council on Disabilities (NCD), describes financial incentives affecting people with disabilities and presents research findings in key areas of peoples' lives such as education and health care. The report also suggests several strategies for securing meaningful employment, career advancement and benefits needed for daily living and accommodations. The complete report can be downloaded in .pdf format.

May 12, 2006 press release from the U.S. Census Bureau indicating that more than 50 million Americans have some level of disability, with 12 percent reporting a severe disability.

Publications, subscriptions and electronic products relating to physical disabilities that can be purchased from GPO.

DOL will release the first official measure of the unemployment rate facing Americans with disabilities tomorrow. The data will be published on the Office of Disability Employment Policy's (ODEP) Web site. ODEP is sponsoring the collection of these data by the department's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) using the Current Population Survey (CPS).