Unemployment grew sharply among Americans with disabilities in July as the job situation remained largely steady for the rest of the population, the Department of Labor reported Friday.
At 16.4 percent, the unemployment rate among those with disabilities grew 2 percent over June when the rate stood at 14.4 percent. The uptick brings unemployment close to the record high of 16.9 percent seen in August 2009.
Meanwhile, unemployment among the general population increased marginally to 9.5 percent in July from 9.4 percent the previous month.
The Department of Labor began tracking employment among people with disabilities in October 2008. There is not yet enough data compiled to establish seasonal trends within this group, so numbers are not seasonally adjusted.
Employment statistics on people with disabilities cover those over the age of 16 who do not live in institutions. The first employment report specific to this population was made available in February 2009. Now, reports are released monthly.
My son is 19 and probably will never have the chance to have w3hat he needs to succeed. I know I am being negative, but even with being determined eligible for DD services, because of his AS and high functioning he won’t get a job coach or the employment training HE needs. Our county is lacking as far as services are concerned and with funding drying up at an ever increasing rate, I do not see that changing. I wish there was something I could do, I feel bad for him and helpless to do anything. I live in Ohio by the way.
As with the non-classed as Disabled,- the so-called able unemployment rate is at 11%,- +5 for the ‘give-ups’,- + approx 16%. – And with the Disabled,- it starts at 16% unemployed, plus at least 9% give-ups, and rejected,– equals approx 25% unemployed for the Disabled! – This Is Appalling America & Congress!! – Discrimination, violation of Rights, and a plain uncaring Congress seem to be why. – Why? — And the so-called State Voc-Rehab Bureaus have extremely low success rates. Imagine the $Billions legislated by the U.S. Congress to assist the Disabled toward Employment! – Each state receives hundreds of $Millions. As with the Ohio RSC BVR,- they have a so-called success rate of approx 8%, – which translates to about 8,000 per year of Client new Jobs per year. Sounds good until looking at just how many Disabled would really like to go back to Work / Employment. – But, so many give up hope,- and/or have heard of the horror stories of just attempting to get assistance, training, and Self-Employment help. – Bottlenecks, Red-Tape, outdated Policies, over Control by Administrators & Counselors, very low if any Client “Choice”, and just plain ongoing Discrimination. – Where do We go from here. Many Disabled are told You must first Advocate for yourselves,- but when speaking up, or attempting to give say/opinion,- are told that the administartors & counselors ‘know-best’. da!? – Congress must be informed. And these so-called State Voc-Rehabs must be made to follow the Federal Laws and guidelines. – Too much Federally Legislated $monies are being wasted and improperly used and directed. Much more Disabled Client say and input must result, or little improvement is expected. State Voc-Rehabs are still trusted by the Congress to do what is right. Well, some serious looking-into is needed. – And the Discrimination beat goes on. — jward52 (disability advocate)