The report shows that the employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities rose from 38.0 percent in June to 38.3 percent in July. This measure represents the proportion of the entire working-age population that is employed, including both people who are in the labor force and those who are not seeking work. The increase amounted to 0.3 percentage points, or approximately 0.8 percent relative to the June figure. Among people without disabilities, the ratio also edged upward, moving from 74.8 percent to 75.0 percent.

The more significant shift appeared in labor force participation. For people with disabilities, the rate climbed from 41.8 percent in June to 42.4 percent in July, an increase of 0.6 percentage points. The labor force participation rate includes people who are employed, actively seeking work, or temporarily absent from a job because of a layoff or furlough. By contrast, participation among people without disabilities held steady at 78.2 percent in both months. The contrasting results suggest that more people with disabilities were available for work or actively searching for jobs, even though the increase in employment itself was comparatively modest.

John O’Neill, director of Kessler Foundation’s Center for Employment and Disability Research, said the improved employment-to-population ratios may partly reflect seasonal hiring. Summer typically brings increased demand for workers in hospitality, tourism, food service, recreation, and related industries. These sectors can generate short-term employment opportunities, although the extent to which such jobs provide stable hours, benefits, or long-term advancement varies widely. Seasonal patterns are therefore an important factor when interpreting a single month of employment data.

Andrew Houtenville, professor of economics and director of the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability, pointed to economic pressure as another possible explanation for the increased participation of people with disabilities. Rising prices can encourage people to seek employment or increase their working hours, particularly when household income is already constrained. People with disabilities experience poverty at higher rates than people without disabilities, making changes in food, housing, transportation, health care, and energy costs especially consequential. When participation rises more rapidly than the employment-to-population ratio, economists infer that additional people are entering the labor market without all of them immediately finding jobs.

The year-to-year comparison presents a stronger improvement for people with disabilities. From July 2025 to July 2026, their employment-to-population ratio increased from 37.0 percent to 38.3 percent, a gain of 1.3 percentage points, or 3.5 percent. Over the same period, the ratio for people without disabilities declined slightly from 75.1 percent to 75.0 percent. Although the change for people without disabilities was small, the widening difference highlights the persistent employment gap between the two groups: people with disabilities remained far less likely to be employed relative to their total working-age population.

Annual labor force participation figures showed a similar divergence. For people with disabilities, participation rose from 41.6 percent in July 2025 to 42.4 percent in July 2026, an increase of 0.8 percentage points, or 1.9 percent. Among people without disabilities, participation fell from 78.5 percent to 78.2 percent, a decrease of 0.3 percentage points. These statistics do not measure unemployment directly, but they help distinguish between people who are outside the labor force and those who are working or making an active effort to find employment.

In July, approximately 6.69 million employed people with disabilities accounted for 4.4 percent of the nation’s 151.261 million workers ages 16 to 64. The figure underscores both the scale of disability employment and the continuing underrepresentation of people with disabilities in the workforce. Employment outcomes are shaped by accessibility, transportation, workplace flexibility, health conditions, discrimination, education, job training, and the availability of assistive technologies. A change in monthly statistics can therefore reflect not only economic demand, but also whether employers and communities are reducing barriers that prevent qualified people from obtaining and keeping jobs.

The July nTIDE findings were discussed during a live Lunch and Learn webinar hosted by the report’s research team. Guest presenters Jeff Friedman and Javier Robles of Rutgers University joined O’Neill, Houtenville, and Lillie Heigl, director of policy at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities. The monthly nTIDE project adapts national labor statistics to focus specifically on working-age adults with and without disabilities, providing a recurring measure of how economic conditions affect disability employment. The initiative is supported by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research and Kessler Foundation, and its latest figures indicate that labor market engagement among people with disabilities is rising, even as substantial disparities remain.

Subject of Research: Employment and labor force participation trends among working-age people with and without disabilities in the United States.

Article Title: Labor Force Participation Rises for People with Disabilities as Summer Employment Lifts July Figures

News Publication Date: August 7, 2026

Web References: Kessler Foundation: https://kesslerfoundation.org/ ; University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability: https://www.researchondisability.org/ ; nTIDE archives: http://www.researchondisability.org/nTIDE ; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics July 2026 Jobs Report: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm

References: July 2026 National Trends in Disability Employment report issued by Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data.

Image Credits: Kessler Foundation

Keywords: disability employment, labor force participation, employment-to-population ratio, nTIDE, Kessler Foundation, University of New Hampshire, Bureau of Labor Statistics, workforce trends, accessible employment, labor market data

The report presents a promising scenario in which the employment-to-population ratio for individuals with disabilities increased incrementally from 38.1 percent in December 2024 to 38.4 percent in January 2025. This rise, although modest, points towards a growing engagement of people with disabilities in the labor market, which is particularly noteworthy amidst broader economic trends. Conversely, the same metric for individuals without disabilities slightly declined during this period, indicating an intriguing juxtaposition in labor market dynamics.

Furthermore, the labor force participation rate for people with disabilities showed a robust increase, moving from 41.3 percent in December 2024 to 42.0 percent in January 2025. These figures underscore the ongoing evolution of the employment framework for people with disabilities, reflecting both a determination to work and a gradual easing of societal barriers that have historically restricted access to employment opportunities. In comparison, the labor force participation rate for people without disabilities remained stagnant at 77.7 percent, a statistic that calls attention to the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in the workforce.

John O’Neill, PhD, director of the Center for Employment and Disability Research at the Kessler Foundation, remarked on this substantial increase, characterizing January’s figures as a new record for labor force participation among people with disabilities. With previous records set at 41.7 percent in May 2024, this latest achievement signals an unprecedented desire among individuals with disabilities to engage in the workforce. It reflects not just employment growth but also a shift in societal perception towards disability and work, indicating a step towards a more inclusive job market.

As we delve deeper into these statistics, it’s crucial to highlight the implications of these trends in regard to the employment-to-population ratio. For people with disabilities, the increase from 38.1 percent to 38.3 percent within the same timeframe represents a continuity of upward momentum that has persisted over the last few months. This resilience is complemented by a three-way tie with previous all-time highs set in November 2023 and May 2024. The sustained rise is juxtaposed against a notable decline in employment metrics for individuals without disabilities, thereby shedding light on a noteworthy shift in employment opportunities.

While these statistics offer a glimmer of hope, they also present a clarion call for the continued evolution of support systems for individuals with disabilities who seek employment. Dr. O’Neill’s insights into the persistence of individuals with disabilities illustrates a fervent commitment to entering the labor market. However, this commitment must be matched with corresponding resources and opportunities that facilitate access to jobs and career development.

An essential aspect of these findings pertains to the year-on-year comparisons, illustrating not just a snapshot in time but a narrative of growth. When we analyze data from January 2024 to January 2025, the employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities increased by 1.3 percent, a meaningful climb in a sector that demands focus. This sharp rise contrasts with the more modest gains observed among individuals without disabilities, where increases are far less pronounced. Such insights provoke thought regarding the interventions that might be driving these positive changes and the strategies that need to be employed for enduring success.

As reported, the total number of workers with disabilities in January 2025 was 6,614,000, a statistic that represents 4.4 percent of the total U.S. workforce. This data reflects an important demographic that is essential for companies striving for diversity and inclusivity. It highlights not only the potential for economic contribution but also the richness that diverse perspectives bring to organizations. The challenge lies in ensuring that this demographic has equal access to opportunities that allow for their full participation in the economy.

Following the release of the nTIDE report, there will be an online webinar, the nTIDE Lunch & Learn, where experts in the field will discuss these findings and their implications comprehensively. This live interaction provides a platform for professionals, researchers, and advocates to engage with the data, posing questions and offering insights on the progress made and steps yet to be taken. Building on the findings from such discussions will be crucial to shaping future initiatives and collaborative efforts aimed at improving employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

The narrative encapsulated within these statistics and expert insights illustrates the evolving landscape of employment for individuals with disabilities. True change necessitates a concerted effort to dismantle barriers and encourage inclusivity throughout all job sectors. The continued rise in labor force participation and employment-to-population ratios highlights a positive trajectory, yet it is only the beginning of a more expansive movement toward equal employment opportunities.

While the nTIDE report elucidates positive trends, they also stress the importance of ongoing advocacy and policy development. It is imperative to ensure that these trends are sustained and built upon, driving forward a future where individuals with disabilities are not merely included but celebrated for their contributions in the workforce. This represents a dual opportunity; not only to enhance the efficacy of labor markets but also to solidify societal norms that embrace inclusivity and diversity.

Ultimately, the employment landscape for individuals with disabilities is shifting, informed by both data and lived experiences. As we begin to understand the nuances of these changes, it becomes increasingly clear that paving the way for improvement requires a collective vision and determination that galvanizes support, understanding, and action among stakeholders at every level. The path forward is illuminated not just by statistics but by the stories and aspirations of individuals eager to create a meaningful impact through their work.

Subject of Research: Disability Employment Trends
Article Title: A Breakthrough in Disability Employment: Analyzing the Latest nTIDE Report
News Publication Date: February 7, 2024
Web References: ResearchonDisability.org/nTIDE
References: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Image Credits: Credit: Kessler Foundation

Keywords: Disability employment, labor market, statistics, Kessler Foundation, inclusivity, workforce participation, employment trends, nTIDE report.