For the first time in four months unemployment among people with disabilities dropped slightly in September, the Labor Department said Friday.

The hint of positive job news comes on the heals of President Barack Obama proclaiming October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Unemployment among people with disabilities fell slightly to 16.2 percent in September, down from a record high of 16.9 percent in August. Meanwhile, unemployment for the rest of the population hit 9.2 percent, down slightly from 9.3 percent in August. These numbers are not seasonally adjusted.

Prior to September, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities climbed to record levels every month since June.

While the unemployment rate appears somewhat promising, fewer people both with and without disabilities were considered to be in the labor force in September as compared to August.

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.

Read more stories like this one. Sign up for Disability Scoop's free email newsletter to get the latest developmental disability news sent straight to your inbox.