After improving significantly, the unemployment rate for Americans with disabilities is ticking back up as more people within this population look to join the workforce.

Numbers released late last week from the U.S. Department of Labor indicate that the jobless rate for people with disabilities rose to 9.9 percent last month. That’s up markedly from 8.7 percent reported the month prior.

The rise came as fewer people with disabilities were employed, but more sought to join the labor force.

Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for the general population dipped just slightly to 4.9 percent last month as the economy added 161,000 jobs.

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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