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

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