The month-to-month assessment, focused on changes between January and February 2026, indicates that the employment-to-population ratio for individuals with disabilities aged 16 to 64 edged downward from 38.4 percent to 38.1 percent. Although this appears modest—a 0.3 percentage point drop representing approximately a 0.8 percent relative decline—it disrupts a prior upward trend observed over the preceding three months. In contrast, the employment-to-population ratio for those without disabilities remained steady at 74.5 percent during the same interval, underscoring the comparatively fragile recovery within the disability employment sector.

This key indicator, the employment-to-population ratio, expresses the proportion of individuals actively employed relative to the entire working-age population in that group. Its recent decline for people with disabilities challenges optimism that post-pandemic plateaus in employment might be overcome imminently. The resilience of employment levels among individuals without disabilities, by comparison, hints at ongoing systemic barriers uniquely impacting people with disabilities during economic fluctuations.

Complementing this data, the labor force participation rate—measuring the percentage of the population either working or actively engaged in job-seeking within the past four weeks—also exhibited a downturn for people with disabilities, slipping from 42.0 percent in January 2026 to 41.8 percent in February 2026. For those without disabilities, participation slightly increased during the same timeframe from 78.0 to 78.1 percent. This divergence is especially notable given historical patterns where economic stress typically drives higher workforce engagement among people with disabilities, who often face greater financial vulnerability.

John O’Neill, PhD, director of the Center for Employment and Disability Research at Kessler Foundation, contextualized these findings by noting their timing alongside international developments. The ongoing bombing campaign in Iran is expected to precipitate broader economic repercussions, potentially causing temporary layoffs and reduced hiring that disproportionately affect marginalized groups, including those with disabilities. This factor may partly explain the observed stalling and minor contraction in employment figures within this cohort.

Moreover, Andrew Houtenville, PhD, economics professor and director at the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability, emphasized that fluctuations in the labor force participation rate for people with disabilities often correlate to broader economic pressures. Historically, rising costs of living have compelled more individuals with disabilities to enter or remain in the workforce, despite existing barriers, as a means of securing essential resources. The recent data indicating a downturn could signal emerging challenges distinct from prior economic cycles or reflect early impacts of geopolitical instability.

Comparing year-over-year figures from February 2025 to February 2026 provides a longer-term perspective, revealing encouraging growth in both employment and labor force participation among people with disabilities. The employment-to-population ratio advanced from 37.1 percent to 38.1 percent—a one percentage point increase representing a 2.7 percent relative rise. Correspondingly, the labor force participation rate improved from 40.8 percent to 41.8 percent, indicating an upward trajectory sustained over the past 12 months despite recent monthly setbacks.

Among people without disabilities, increases in these measures were more modest during the same yearly period: employment-to-population grew from 74.4 percent to 74.5 percent, and participation increased from 77.8 percent to 78.1 percent. This broader context highlights the continuing, albeit gradual, narrowing of employment gaps between people with and without disabilities, a persistent goal of disability inclusion efforts nationwide.

Within the U.S. workforce for February 2026, people with disabilities accounted for roughly 6.59 million workers aged 16 to 64, representing 4.4 percent of the total labor pool of 150.45 million. These figures reflect not only demographic realities but also underscore the critical importance of nuanced, targeted policy and programmatic interventions to enhance employment opportunities for this population.

To foster informed discourse on these developments, the nTIDE team hosts monthly Lunch & Learn webinars concurrent with report releases. These sessions offer a platform where experts, stakeholders, and community members can engage directly with researchers, discuss emerging trends, and explore implications for disability employment policy. For the March 6, 2026 event, dialogue featured thought leaders including Dr. Helen M. Genova, associate director of the Center for Autism Research at Kessler Foundation, alongside Drs. O’Neill, Houtenville, and public policy fellow Shoshana Marin.

The nTIDE reports are a collaborative initiative between Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability, rigorously analyzing Bureau of Labor Statistics data through a disability-focused lens. This partnership emphasizes customized data analytic methods designed to illuminate employment dynamics specific to working-age adults with disabilities. Funding support is provided by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) and Kessler Foundation.

Kessler Foundation itself is a distinguished leader in rehabilitation research, committed to advancing the lives of people with disabilities via innovative scientific approaches. Its research portfolio encompasses mobility, cognitive function, and neurological rehabilitation, with an ongoing focus on employment and community integration. Through its work, Kessler Foundation supports the development of evidence-based strategies aimed at removing barriers and fostering economic participation among people with disabilities.

Collectively, these findings and initiatives underscore the complex interplay of social, economic, and geopolitical factors influencing labor market outcomes for people with disabilities. They reveal both progress achieved and obstacles remaining in the quest for inclusive employment, highlighting the urgency for continued research, policy innovation, and public engagement to ensure equitable workforce participation in times of both economic stability and upheaval.

Subject of Research: Employment trends and labor market indicators for working-age people with disabilities in the United States.

Article Title: Monthly Decline in Employment-to-Population Ratio for People with Disabilities Amidst Economic Uncertainty

News Publication Date: March 6, 2026

Web References:
– Kessler Foundation: https://kesslerfoundation.org/
– University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability: http://www.researchondisability.org/
– BLS Jobs Report: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm
– nTIDE reports and archives: http://www.ResearchonDisability.org/nTIDE

Image Credits: Kessler Foundation

Keywords: disability employment, labor market, employment-to-population ratio, labor force participation rate, nTIDE report, economic impact, military conflict, Iran bombing campaign, workforce inclusion, rehabilitation research, Kessler Foundation, University of New Hampshire

The month-to-month analysis comparing May and June 2025 highlights that the employment-to-population ratio—a core metric reflecting the proportion of individuals working relative to the total population—remained static at 38.0 percent for people with disabilities aged 16 to 64. Contrastingly, individuals without disabilities witnessed a modest increase, moving from 74.8 percent to 75.1 percent. This differential stability points to persistent challenges faced by disabled workers in gaining employment despite incremental economic shifts.

The labor force participation rate, which captures those employed or actively seeking employment, rose marginally among people with disabilities from 41.4 percent in May to 41.9 percent in June 2025, indicating a subtle increase in workforce engagement. Similarly, the non-disabled population saw a rise from 77.8 percent to 78.4 percent. This divergence between participation and employment rates among people with disabilities suggests that more individuals are entering or re-entering the labor market, though this has yet to translate into significant employment gains.

Experts interpret these patterns as symptomatic of broader economic and policy uncertainties. John O’Neill, PhD, director of the Center for Employment and Disability Research at Kessler Foundation, notes that employer hesitation to adjust hiring practices remains prevalent, largely awaiting clarity on federal budget allocations and their downstream impacts on state and local economies. This cautious stance is consistent with observed labor trends during periods of fiscal unpredictability.

Adding further context, Andrew Houtenville, PhD, professor of economics at the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability, explains that employment rates rarely shift rapidly amid economic slowdowns due to employers’ reluctance to lose workers who are hard to replace. However, the uptick in labor force participation could signal that families and individuals with disabilities are increasingly compelled to seek work proactively as a hedge against economic volatility, even if job availability remains constrained.

A year-over-year comparison between June 2024 and June 2025 reflects a slight improvement in employment outcomes for people with disabilities, with the employment-to-population ratio rising from 37.6 to 38.0 percent. During the same period, the ratio remained stable at 75.1 percent for those without disabilities. Such incremental progress, while modest, may indicate a gradual shift in labor market inclusion.

Similarly, labor force participation for people with disabilities held steady at an increased rate of 41.9 percent in June 2025 compared to 41.4 percent a year earlier. For non-disabled individuals, participation rates remained constant at 78.4 percent, reinforcing the disparity in engagement trajectories between these groups.

The workforce composition in June 2025 included 6,654,000 workers with disabilities aged 16 to 64, representing 4.4 percent of the total U.S. workforce of 152,690,000. This figure provides an essential benchmark for assessing both representation and the potential untapped labor pool within this demographic segment.

The technical nuance embedded in nTIDE’s methodology is noteworthy. While grounded in U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, nTIDE refines its analyses by customizing population parameters to the working-age group of 16 to 64 years, enhancing specificity to the prime labor market cohort. Moreover, nTIDE integrates indicators such as the employment-to-population ratio and labor force participation rate to distinguish between actual employment levels and the extent of active job-seeking behavior in the disabled and non-disabled populations.

nTIDE’s ongoing monitoring and bi-monthly reporting offer a vital real-time perspective on how macroeconomic factors and policy shifts influence the labor market experiences of people with disabilities. These insights serve not only academic and policy-making audiences but also inform advocacy and employer engagement strategies aimed at improving employment outcomes.

Complementing the data reports, nTIDE conducts Lunch & Learn webinars to disseminate findings, foster dialogue, and field public queries about disability employment trends. The July 3, 2025 session features expert panelists including Josie Badger of the SPAN Parent Advocacy Network alongside researchers from Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire, further emphasizing the commitment to knowledge exchange and community involvement.

The collaboration between Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability epitomizes the integration of rigorous research with practical advocacy. Kessler Foundation’s comprehensive focus on rehabilitation research transcends mere data analysis by developing and testing interventions that target improving quality of life and workforce participation for individuals facing neurological, developmental, and physical disabilities.

As economic conditions remain fluid, these findings invite a deeper exploration of structural barriers, employer incentives, and policy frameworks that influence hiring and retention of workers with disabilities. The steady employment rates combined with rising labor force participation highlight both persistent challenges and signs of resilience within this vital segment of the American workforce.

This expanded understanding permits stakeholders across government, private sector, and community organizations to tailor strategies that can better support employment inclusion, addressing not only statistical measures but also the nuanced lived experiences underlying workforce participation data for people with disabilities.

Subject of Research: Employment trends and labor market participation among people with disabilities compared to those without disabilities in the United States.

Article Title: National Trends in Disability Employment: Stability Amidst Shifting Labor Force Participation

News Publication Date: July 3, 2025

Web References:

• https://kesslerfoundation.org/
• http://www.researchondisability.org/
• http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm
• http://www.ResearchonDisability.org/nTIDE

Image Credits: Kessler Foundation

Keywords: Economics, Economics research, Socioeconomics, Population studies