The RespectAbility Report Posts

Washington, D.C., March 13 – While nationally 111,804 jobs were gained by people with disabilities, 16,355 people with disabilities in North Carolina exited the workforce last year. North Carolina now ranks 42nd in the nation for employment rates of people with disabilities with only 232,875 of the 689,612 working-age (18-64) North Carolinians with disabilities having jobs. The newly published 2018 Annual Disability Statistics Compendium shows North Carolina has a 33.8 disability employment rate. In light of these statistics, it’s important to know what to do in the aftermath of an unfair job loss and seek support to address any discriminatory practices that may have contributed to the employment disparity.

Despite these challenges, Gov. Roy Cooper has been a vocal supporter of his state’s disability community. Last year, in recognition of the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Gov. Cooper wrote: “We must focus on helping North Carolinians with disabilities pursue opportunities for education and careers, and encourage employers to make our state a national model for diverse workplaces.”

Cooper also reiterated, “We’ve made progress since this landmark legislation was signed into law 28 years ago, but we have more to do to assure equal and full participation in community life for North Carolinians living with disabilities.”

Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, RespectAbility’s president who is originally from Durham, North Carolina, said: “Last year we saw an improvement in jobs for people with disabilities in North Carolina. Thus, for thousands of people with disabilities in North Carolina to lose their jobs – especially at a time when other states are improving – is deeply disappointing. I know that Carolinians are capable of doing much better on these issues. I look forward to future progress.”

Washington, DC., March 12 – While nationally 111,804 jobs were gained by people with disabilities, 1,484 people with disabilities Montana exited the workforce last year. Montana now ranks 8th in the nation for employment rates of people with disabilities with 31,935 of the 69,553 working-age (18-64) Montanans with disabilities being employed. The newly published 2018 Annual Disability Statistics Compendium shows Montana has maintained a 45.9 percent disability employment rate.

Gov. Steve Bullock has highlighted his continuing commitment to his constituents with disabilities for the past several years. From ongoing efforts to strengthen “public schools instead of privatizing them” to reimagining programs “to better serve Montanans with disability in living the lives they choose and deserve,” Gov. Bullock has been a vocal and active supporter of the disability community.

In honor of Disability Employment Awareness Month this past October, Gov. Bullock’s released a proclamation renewing his state’s commitment to advancing opportunities for people with disabilities. “Welcoming the talents of all people, including people with disabilities, is a critical part of our efforts to build an inclusive community and stronger economy,” said Bullock in the proclamation. “This month, and every month, we celebrate the many and varied contributions people with disabilities have given to our state.”

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 11 – More people with disabilities in Pennsylvania continued to gain new jobs last year, continuing a trend from the year prior.

The newly published 2018 Annual Disability Statistics Compendium shows Pennsylvania is currently ranked 30th out of 50 states with 329,760 of the 880,799 working-age (18-64) people with disabilities being employed. This gives the state an employment rate of 37.4 percent for people with disabilities. Further analysis by the nonpartisan advocacy group RespectAbility shows that in 2017, the employment rate was at 35.5 percent. From 2017-2018 Pennsylvania’s employment rates increased for people with disabilities as 6,406 Pennsylvanians with disabilities found new employment opportunities.

“37.4 percent employment for people with disabilities represents progress that we must build upon,” said RespectAbility Board of Directors member Richard G. Phillips, Jr. Philips, a Pennsylvania business leader and change agent, was elected to the RespectAbility Board in September 2018.

Washington D.C., March 9 – Colorado now ranks 11th in the nation for employment rates of people with disabilities with 141,691 of the 311,449 working-age (18-64) Coloradoans with disabilities being employed. The newly published 2018 Annual Disability Statistics Compendium shows Colorado has an employment of 45.5 percent for people with disabilities. Further analysis by the nonpartisan advocacy group RespectAbility shows that during the previous year, Colorado’s employment rate for people with disabilities was 42.7 percent. From 2017-2018 Colorado’s employment rates increased for people with disabilities as 10,033 Coloradoans with disabilities found new employment opportunities. Colorado’s previous Governor, John Hickenlooper, had prioritized jobs for people with disabilities.

Newly elected Gov. Jared Polis showed his commitment to the employment of people with disabilities during his campaign, responding to a questionnaire by RespectAbility, outlining his views on training and hiring people with disabilities. Then-candidate Polis repeatedly cited his work in starting two nonprofits, TechStars and Operation Bootcamp, that helped those in underrepresented communities and returning veterans start their own businesses. Project Bootcamp, he noted, “specifically works with veterans and their families, many of whom live with a disability.”

Washington, D.C., March 8 – During the 2019 National Governors’ Association winter meeting, newly elected Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak made his commitment to people with disabilities crystal clear: “We view people with disabilities as people with abilities, tremendous abilities that are great assets to our workforce.”

The newly published 2018 Annual Disability Statistics Compendium shows that there are 183,918 working-age people (ages 18-64) with disabilities living in Nevada. Out of that number, 73,968 Nevadans with disabilities have jobs. That means the Silver State has a disability employment rate of 40.2 percent. Further analysis by the nonpartisan advocacy group RespectAbility shows that Nevada ranks 22nd out of the 50 states for disability employment. Census Bureau data also shows that more than 9,400 people with disabilities in Nevada lost jobs last year.

Under Gov. Sisolak’s predecessor, large companies such as Starbucks had success hiring people with disabilities in Nevada. According to the Carson Valley Times, companies have expanded employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Starbucks has been at quick to implement innovative strategies to integrate people with disabilities into the community workforce. At Starbucks’ Carson Valley roasting and distribution facility, interns with disabilities are given training that builds marketable skills and helps people find employment upon completion of the internship. According to John Kelly, senior vice president of Global Public Affairs & Social Impact, hiring people with disabilities at Starbucks is more than just the right thing to do – it positively impacts the company’s bottom line.

Washington, D.C., March 8 – During the 2019 National Governors’ Association winter meeting, newly elected Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont vowed to do “everything we can to make sure” people with disabilities have “the absolute opportunity to work and thrive in our communities.”

The newly published 2018 Annual Disability Statistics Compendium shows there are 189,419 working-age people (ages 18-64) with disabilities living in Connecticut. Out of that number, 76,096 have jobs. That means the Nutmeg State has a disability employment rate of 40.2 percent. Further analysis by the nonpartisan advocacy group RespectAbility shows that Connecticut ranks 21st out of the 50 states for disability employment. Census Bureau data also shows that 1,381 people with disabilities entered the state’s workforce last year.

A group of families in Connecticut started a café called BeanZ & Co. with the intention of helping adults with intellectual disabilities find work. According to an estimate by the Arc, a nonprofit that provides assistance to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), more than 80 percent of people with I/DD struggle to find work because of their disability. BeanZ has adapted their equipment to accommodate employees and make everything as identifiable and accessible as possible. Efforts such as this are what have helped move Connecticut up in ranking from last year when it comes to jobs for people with disabilities.

Washington, D.C., March 7 – During the 2019 National Governors’ Association winter meeting, newly elected Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pledged to “forge relationships” with her state’s disability community. She said people with disabilities are “a strong, vocal, powerful community in the state of Michigan” and “everyone needs a path to prosperity and dignity in work.”

The newly published 2018 Annual Disability Statistics Compendium shows that there are 727,451 working-age (ages 18-64) people with disabilities living in Michigan. Out of that number, only 246,196 Michiganders with disabilities have jobs. That means the Great Lake State has a disability employment rate of only 33.8 percent. Further analysis by the nonpartisan advocacy group RespectAbility shows that Michigan ranks 41st out of the 50 states for disability employment. Census Bureau data also shows that more than 8,000 people with disabilities lost jobs in the state of Michigan last year.

Washington, D.C., March 7 – During the 2019 National Governors’ Association winter meeting, newly elected Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker vowed to make people with disabilities “one of the priorities” as he rebuilds his state’s policies and programs.

Speaking of the budgetary challenges created by his predecessor, Pritzker said, “services and programs, including some employment programs…just got wiped out.” He emphasized the need to “rebuild these services, many of the opportunities” that people with disabilities were using to enter Illinois’ economy.

In terms of making his state more inclusive of people with disabilities, Pritzker added, “You have to think of it as an entrepreneurial endeavor in the nonprofit world.”

The newly published 2018 Annual Disability Statistics Compendium shows there are 691,453 working-age people (ages 18-64) with disabilities living in Illinois. Out of that number, 263,464 Illinoisans with disabilities have jobs. That means the Prairie State has a disability employment rate of 38.1 percent. Further analysis by the nonpartisan advocacy group RespectAbility shows that Illinois ranks 25th out of the 50 states for disability employment. Census Bureau data also shows that Illinois saw the second biggest job gains for people with disabilities with more than 20,000 new jobs even as 50,000 people without disabilities left Illinois’ workforce.

Washington, D.C., March 7 –During the 2019 National Governors’ Association (NGA) winter meeting, Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey spoke about his commitment to serve “the entire disability community.” In New Jersey, he added, “we rise or fall as one family.”

Gov. Murphy pointed to his own cabinet, which includes a newly created Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families, as a testament to his commitment to serve New Jerseyans with disabilities and vowed, “we’ve got a lot of elements in our budget” that will positively impact people with disabilities.

The newly published 2018 Annual Disability Statistics Compendium shows there are 428,932 working-age (ages 18-64) people with disabilities living in New Jersey. Out of that number, only 161,729 have jobs. That means the Garden State has a 37.7 disability employment rate. Further analysis by the nonpartisan advocacy group RespectAbility shows that New Jersey ranks 28th out of the 50 states for disability employment. More than 2,100 people with disabilities entered New Jersey’s workforce last year.