At Disability Belongs, we fight stigmas and advance opportunities so people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of community life, including the workforce. Yet, disabled people still face significant barriers in finding and retaining meaningful employment. In 2024, 37% of working-age disabled people were employed, compared to 75% of working-age people without disabilities. This disparity is largely due to accessibility challenges, harmful misconceptions, and the pervasive stigma surrounding disability.
The challenge for people with disabilities isn’t their ability to succeed in a career, as they are just as capable as their nondisabled peers. The issue is that disabled individuals encounter more obstacles to employment.
What is a disability?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a person with a disability as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. However, disability encompasses much more than is often recognized.
According to the CDC, more than 1 in 4 adults (28.7%) in the United States have at least one type of disability, which equates to 61 million people. It is also important to note that 70% of disabilities are non-apparent, like autism, neurodivergence, or mental health diagnoses. Disabilities can be temporary or permanent. People [...]