Even as some signs point to an improving job market, the unemployment rate for Americans with disabilities is up slightly, the U.S. Department of Labor said Friday.

The jobless rate for those with disabilities rose to 12.7 percent in May, up from 12.5 percent the previous month.

At the same time, however, Labor Department data indicate that more people within this population were employed in May. The disparity appears to be due in part to a growing pool of people included in the monthly employment figures on those with disabilities.

Overall, the Labor Department reported that the economy added 217,000 jobs in May while the unemployment rate for the general population remained steady at 6.3 percent.

Federal officials began tracking employment among people with disabilities in October 2008. There is not yet enough data compiled to establish seasonal trends among this population, so statistics for this group are not seasonally adjusted.

Data on people with disabilities covers 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.

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