The latest National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) report, released on August 1, 2025, reveals a nuanced and complex landscape for employment among people with disabilities in the United States. Drawing from data customized by the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability in partnership with Kessler Foundation, this report sheds light on the subtle shifts in employment-to-population ratios and labor force participation rates between June and July 2025, offering critical insights into the economic standing of individuals with disabilities during a period characterized by economic uncertainty and potential stagnation.
Between June and July of 2025, the employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities — defined as the percentage of individuals aged 16 to 64 who are employed out of the total population of the same age group — decreased notably from 38.0 percent to 37.0 percent. This one percentage point decline underscores an employment dip that contrasts sharply with the employment stability observed among people without disabilities, whose employment-to-population ratio remained constant at 75.1 percent during the same period. This divergence raises important questions about the resilience of workforce inclusion policies and the efficacy of existing support structures amid shifting national economic conditions.
The labor force participation rate, a complementary metric measuring not just employment but also active job seeking within the population, further illustrates evolving dynamics. For people with disabilities, this rate decreased slightly from 41.9 percent to 41.6 percent, suggesting a marginal withdrawal from the workforce or job-seeking activities. Conversely, individuals without disabilities experienced a modest increase in labor force participation, climbing from 78.4 to 78.5 percent. These contrasting trends may signal a bifurcation in labor market engagement that warrants close monitoring to understand long-term implications for disability employment equity.
Notable commentary from experts such as John O’Neill, PhD, director of the Center for Employment and Disability Research at Kessler Foundation, places these findings within broader temporal and socio-economic contexts. According to O’Neill, the observed one percentage point decline fits within a larger plateau of employment trends for people with disabilities seen over the past two years. This plateau suggests a period of relative stagnation rather than rapid decline, indicative of underlying structural challenges that remain unaddressed despite ongoing efforts to enhance employment outcomes for this population.
More revealing is the interpretation offered by Andrew Houtenville, PhD, professor of economics and director of the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability. Houtenville highlights a subtle yet crucial divergence between the employment-to-population ratio and labor force participation rate for people with disabilities. The lesser decrease in labor force participation compared to employment implies an increase in active job-seeking despite falling employment figures. This trend could reflect economic vulnerability pushing more individuals with disabilities to remain engaged in the labor market, even amidst adverse conditions.
The economic backdrop against which these shifts occur is complex and fraught with uncertainty. Houtenville warns of emerging stagflation — a troubling economic phenomenon characterized by stagnant growth coupled with inflationary pressures exacerbated by delayed tariff impacts. Under such conditions, many labor market participants face declining real incomes and fewer job opportunities. For people with disabilities, who already experience disproportionate poverty rates — with nearly one-third reportedly living below the poverty line — these macroeconomic pressures translate into heightened urgency to maintain or increase labor market engagement despite increasing barriers.
When extending the temporal scale to examine year-to-year changes, the employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities shows a slight upward tick, increasing from 36.9 percent in July 2024 to 37.0 percent in July 2025. This marginal improvement contrasts mildly declining ratios among people without disabilities, whose rate decreased from 75.2 to 75.1 percent during the same period. Additionally, the labor force participation rate for people with disabilities improved appreciably from 40.5 to 41.6 percent year-over-year, reinforcing the narrative of longer-term incremental progress despite recent monthly setbacks.
Within the overall U.S. workforce, people with disabilities aged 16 to 64 numbered approximately 6,535,000 in July 2025, making up about 4.3 percent of the total 152,418,000 workers. This demographic proportion highlights both the significance of people with disabilities in the labor market and the ongoing challenges related to equity and inclusion. It also reflects the critical need for refined policy interventions and employer practices designed to support sustained and meaningful employment for this sizeable community.
The nTIDE project distinguishes itself by producing customized employment statistics refined from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. By focusing specifically on working-age populations (ages 16-64) and synthesizing complex labor market indicators, the nTIDE report offers an indispensable resource for policymakers, advocates, and researchers dedicated to understanding and improving the employment conditions of people with disabilities. The semi-monthly cadence ensures timely insights responsive to economic fluctuations.
Accompanying each nTIDE release, live Lunch & Learn webinars provide interactive forums where experts engage with stakeholders to interpret the data, address emerging questions, and discuss policy and community impacts. These sessions facilitate vital knowledge exchanges and help translate statistical data into actionable strategies that can counteract employment disparities faced by people with disabilities in volatile economic climates.
The partnership behind nTIDE encompasses Kessler Foundation, a leader in rehabilitation research devoted to enhancing outcomes for people with disabilities, and the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability, which has a long-standing track record in disability-focused research and policy development. This collaboration ensures that nTIDE findings are grounded in both rigorous data analysis and a deep understanding of disability-related socio-economic factors.
Understanding and addressing the interplay between employment trends and labor force participation among people with disabilities remains paramount as the U.S. navigates post-pandemic economic recovery, trade tensions, and structural inequalities. The nuanced patterns revealed in the latest nTIDE report underscore the need for innovative policy responses, employer engagement strategies, and targeted supports that can help this vulnerable population not only retain but also gain meaningful employment opportunities.
Above all, these trends reaffirm the critical role of sustained, data-driven advocacy and research partnerships in promoting equity in the labor market. By continuing to monitor and analyze complex employment dynamics, efforts such as nTIDE can illuminate pathways to foster an inclusive economy where disability does not remain a barrier to the full participation and prosperity of all workers.
Subject of Research: Employment trends and labor market participation of people with disabilities in the United States
Article Title: National Trends in Disability Employment Signal Challenges Amid Economic Uncertainty: July 2025 nTIDE Report
News Publication Date: August 1, 2025
Web References:
- Kessler Foundation
- University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Jobs Report
- nTIDE Portal
Image Credits: Kessler Foundation
Keywords: Disability employment, labor force participation, employment-to-population ratio, economic stagnation, disability inclusion, labor market trends, U.S. workforce statistics, disability research
