Federal Employment of People with Disabilities Increasing

December 2013 — The United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released the Report on the Employment of Individuals with Disabilities in the Federal Executive Branch. In 2010, President Obama issues Executive Order 13548, creating a hiring goal of 100,000 people with disabilities into federal service over five years.  The report highlights that in 2012, 219,975 people with disabilities were employed by the Federal government, which has “led to more people with disabilities in Federal service both in real terms and by percentage than at any time in the last 32 years.” Of the report, President and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) Mark Perriello notes, “Given the diversity of jobs within the federal government, this report illustrates that employers can recruit and retain people with disabilities as a part of any workforce. As more employers look to tap into the potential of people with disabilities in the workplace, the federal government can serve as a model. However, more must be done to place individuals with disabilities into senior roles within the Executive Branch.”