Disability Unemployment Statistics

I AM ABLE Helpline Disability Employment Statistics

Since 2021, PRIDE Industries’ I AM ABLE Employment Helpline has been a resource for people with disabilities and caregivers seeking pathways to employment. Staffed by trained representatives, the helpline has:

• Placed 230 people with disabilities into employment with estimated gross wages of $5 million
• Connected 6,454+ people with employment, training, and government and community resources

United States Disability Unemployment Statistics

The US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) uses Census Bureau data to measures disability unemployment, tracking the employment-to-population ratio of people with disabilities aged 16-64. According to the BLS, in 2022:

• 10.6% (22 million people) of people aged 16-64 in the United States have a disability
• The employment-to-population ratio of people with disabilities aged 16-64 employed is 35%
• The employment-to-population ratio of people without disabilities aged 16-64 employed is 75%

Disability Employment Accommodation Costs

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires businesses with 15 or more employees to provide reasonable accommodation for the physical or mental limitations of a qualified individual with a disability of which they are aware. The perceived cost of accommodations often deters companies from hiring people with disabilities. The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) surveys employers that hire people with disabilities on the cost of accommodations. In JAN’s most recent survey:

• 56% percent said accommodations cost nothing
• 37% reported a median one-time cost of $300
• 7% reported ongoing accommodations cost of $1925/year

Business Benefits of Employing People with Disabilities

Studies have shown there are business benefits to employing people with disabilities. A 2018 Accenture study of companies that actively employ and support people with disabilities found that these companies enjoy the following financial outcomes compared to peer organizations:

• 28% more revenue
• 2x more net income
• 30% more economic profit

A 2023 update from Accenture found that “the business case for hiring persons with disabilities has become even stronger.” Companies that actively employ and support people with disabilities now achieve the following financial outcomes compared to peer organizations:

• 1.6x more revenue
• 2.6x more net income
• 2x more economic profit

A National Institutes of Health Review of 6176 studies found the following business benefits of employing people with disabilities:

• Improvements in profitability (e.g., profits and cost-effectiveness, turnover and retention, reliability and punctuality, employee loyalty, company image)
• Competitive advantage (e.g., diverse customers, customer loyalty and satisfaction, innovation, productivity, work ethic, safety), inclusive work culture, and ability awareness

Discover the Benefits of Employing People with Disabilities

If your business is looking for skilled, dedicated employees, consider partnering with PRIDE Industries. We work with hundreds of companies to bring talented, dedicated resourceful employees who love the jobs you seek to fill. We offer:

• Job preparation
• Job placement
• On-the-job support and coaching
• Employer relationship management