Job Numbers Grim For People With Disabilities Too

For the third straight month unemployment rose among people with disabilities, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Labor.

In February, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities rose to 14 percent compared with 8.7 percent for the rest of the population. That’s up from 13.2 percent and 8.3 percent, respectively, in January. These numbers are not seasonally adjusted.

Meanwhile, just 19.8 percent of people with disabilities are employed compared to 64.8 percent for the rest of the population.

The Department of Labor began tracking employment for people with disabilities in October 2008. The data covers people with disabilities over the age of 16 who do not live in institutions. The first employment report specific to this population was made available in February. Now, reports are released monthly.

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Previous stories on this topic:

Scoop Essentials: Beating The Employment Odds (February 16, 2009)

In First Employment Report, People With Disabilities Faring Poorly (February 6, 2009)