The employment picture remained largely steady for people with disabilities in March even as the economy as a whole posted big job gains bolstered by temporary work.

The unemployment rate among people with disabilities was 13.9 in March, compared to 13.8 percent the previous month. Meanwhile, the number of people with disabilities considered “in the labor force” — or those who are employed or are seeking work — grew.

Overall, the economy gained 162,000 jobs in March, but many of those employment opportunities are temporary with the Census alone hiring 48,000 new temporary workers. Further, the job boost did little to alter the unemployment picture even among the general population, with unemployment dropping to 10.1 percent from 10.3 percent in February. These numbers are not seasonally adjusted.

The Department of Labor began tracking employment among 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 2009. Now, reports are released monthly.

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