October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Close up portrait of young businessman with down syndrome doing accounting on laptop outdoors.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a month dedicated to shedding light on disability employment issues, as well as celebrate the many contributions of individuals with disabilities in the workforce.

In recognition of NDEAM, here are some significant statistics about disability and employment.

• 17.9% of individuals with a disability were employed in 2020, compared to 19.3% in 2019
• 8 in 10 individuals with a disability are not in the labor force
• The unemployment rate for people with disabilities increased five percentage points in 2020
• Minnesota ranks 10th among states with the highest employment rates for people with disabilities, at 49.2% and a gap of 35.1%

At Accord, we know that meaningful employment helps people feel valued as a member of the community, as well as provides an avenue for independence. We believe in equal pay and opportunities for all people with disabilities.