East Hanover, NJ – February 12, 2026 – The latest National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) report, released for February 2026, reveals a nuanced shift in employment metrics for working-age individuals with disabilities in the United States. Produced monthly through the collaborative efforts of Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability, nTIDE provides critical insight into the evolving landscape of labor market participation and employment status within this demographic. While recent data indicate a slight decline in employment indicators from December 2025 to January 2026, the overarching trend affirms that employment levels for people with disabilities remain near historical highs established in the late months of 2025.
Drawing upon comprehensive data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) January 2026 jobs report, alongside tailored analyses by the nTIDE research team, the employment-to-population ratio among adults aged 16 to 64 with disabilities dropped from 38.9% in December 2025 to 38.4% in January 2026. Although representing a modest decrease of approximately 1.3% or 0.5 percentage points, this ratio remains significantly elevated above figures recorded immediately after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The employment-to-population ratio is a pivotal statistical indicator, representing the percentage of the total population that is currently employed. It effectively combines labor market engagement with demographic population data to illustrate real workforce integration.
By comparison, the employment-to-population ratio for individuals without disabilities also experienced a minor decline during the same period, decreasing from 74.8% to 74.5%. This 0.3 percentage point reduction underscores a broader macroeconomic context reflective of subtle fluctuations in overall labor market dynamics. John O’Neill, PhD, who directs the Center for Employment and Disability Research at the Kessler Foundation, elaborated that the recorded employment ratios of 38.4% in January are consistent with similar historic peaks in November and December 2025 and far exceed most post-pandemic levels. He further emphasized that if this trajectory of gradual increase continues, it signals a resilient and determined workforce segment of people with disabilities who are progressively overcoming the stagnant plateau triggered by the pandemic.
Complementing these findings, the labor force participation rate for working-age people with disabilities also shifted. This rate—defined as the proportion of the total population either employed or actively engaged in seeking employment—declined from 42.6% in December 2025 to 42.0% in January 2026. This reduction of about 0.6 percentage points contrasts with an incremental rise in labor force participation among those without disabilities, which edged up slightly from 77.9% to 78.0%. Importantly, the labor force participation rate encapsulates a broader spectrum of labor market involvement beyond employment alone, including those temporarily unemployed but maintaining active job search status or furlough situations.
Andrew Houtenville, PhD, a professor of economics and director of the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire, observed that the labor force participation trend mirrors the employment-to-population ratio’s reversion toward a post-pandemic plateau observed in many sectors. He noted, “The immediate months ahead will be particularly instructive in determining whether these employment and participation figures stabilize at these renewed plateau levels or begin to ascend toward fundamentally new baselines—which would suggest structural improvements in labor market inclusion for people with disabilities.”
An analysis comparing January 2026 data to the same month in the previous year reveals encouraging signs of incremental growth. The employment-to-population ratio for individuals with disabilities increased slightly from 38.3% in January 2025 to 38.4% a year later. For those without disabilities, a similar modest increase was recorded, advancing from 74.4% to 74.5%. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate remained stable year-over-year for people with disabilities at 42.0%, while individuals without disabilities experienced a moderate increase from 77.7% to 78.0%. These trends suggest gradual progress in integrating people with disabilities into the workforce while highlighting persistent disparities when compared to their non-disabled peers.
The total workforce composition data for January 2026 further contextualize these ratios—among roughly 151.6 million workers aged 16 to 64, approximately 6.9 million were individuals with disabilities. This demographic constitutes around 4.6% of the total working population, a figure that reinforces the significance of continued efforts to improve employment opportunities and outcomes for people with disabilities.
In an effort to foster dialog and transparency, the nTIDE team hosts monthly Lunch & Learn webinars concurrent with report releases. These live Zoom sessions provide an interactive platform for stakeholders, researchers, advocates, and policymakers to ask questions, discuss findings, and share insights on the latest disability employment research. The February 12, 2026, webinar featured prominent disability rights advocates Jillian Curwin and Madison Lawson alongside Dr. O’Neill, Dr. Houtenville, and Lillie Heigl—the policy director at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities—offering multifaceted perspectives on current trends and challenges.
nTIDE’s analytical approach leverages granular data customization from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, focusing exclusively on working-age adults between the ages of 16 and 64. This demographic specificity enhances the relevance of their monthly reports for policymakers and economic developers seeking to address employment disparities linked to disability status. These reports are generously funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) and the Kessler Foundation, emphasizing the research’s foundational support and ongoing innovation.
The University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability, part of a distinguished R1 research university, spearheads efforts to promote disability inclusion through empirical research, educational initiatives, and extensive community collaborations. The Institute’s Center for Research on Disability provides robust analysis and practical tools, ensuring that disability data are accessible and actionable for a range of audiences. These contributions are integral to shaping policy and fostering equitable workforce integration.
Meanwhile, Kessler Foundation, a New Jersey-based nonprofit organization founded in 1985, remains a global leader in rehabilitation research. The foundation’s scientists conduct pioneering research aimed at improving mobility, cognition, and overall quality of life for people with various neurological and developmental disabilities. Beyond laboratory innovations, Kessler Foundation actively addresses systemic barriers within the labor market by developing and funding evidence-based solutions that enhance workforce participation and inclusion for people with disabilities.
Together, the ongoing work of Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability exemplifies a comprehensive and data-driven approach to understanding and improving employment outcomes for people with disabilities. As the labor market continues to evolve in the post-pandemic era, these insights remain invaluable to advocates, employers, researchers, and policymakers committed to building a truly inclusive workforce that leverages the talents and potential of all citizens.
Subject of Research: Employment trends and labor market indicators for working-age individuals with disabilities in the United States
Article Title: National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) Reflect Near-Record Highs Amid Slight Post-Holiday Declines
News Publication Date: February 12, 2026
Web References:
– National Trends in Disability Employment: http://www.ResearchonDisability.org/nTIDE
– Kessler Foundation: https://kesslerfoundation.org/
– Institute on Disability, University of New Hampshire: http://www.researchondisability.org/
– BLS Employment Situation News Release: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm
Image Credits: Kessler Foundation
Keywords: Social research, Sociological data, Disability employment, Labor force participation, Employment-to-population ratio, Workforce inclusion, Disability labor market trends
