An increasing number of Americans with disabilities are finding work, according to new data from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Figures released Friday as part of the agency’s monthly employment report indicate that the unemployment rate for those with disabilities fell to 10.8 percent last month. That’s a drop from 12.5 percent the month prior.

The change reflects a growing population of people with disabilities who are seeking out work and finding it.

At the same time, unemployment for the general population remained largely unchanged at 5 percent as the economy added 215,000 jobs last month.

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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