The Disability Gap

The days of "lifetime" employees have all but vanished.

Based on U.S. Census data presented by Michael Callahan at Partners in Policymaking, January 2003.

Just 30 years ago, most people assumed they would work for the same company - often in the same job - for their entire careers. That is no longer the case. In fact, recent studies show that the average American has been in his or her job for less than four years. Some people might have 12 or more jobs before retiring.

People with disabilities often face different barriers to competitive employment than their peers without disabilities. In fact, people with disabilities represent the largest unemployed minority in the United States today.

There are more than 31.1 million working age people (18-64) with disabilities in the United States. Yet, only 3 in 10 people of working age with disabilities are employed full or part-time, compared with 8 in 10 working age people without disabilities who are employed full or part-time.

Why the gap? One of the biggest challenges you'll face as a job hunter with a disability is lack of experience - on the part of business, that is. Many employers simply haven't worked with many people with disabilities before.