Federal hiring rules for people with disabilities are changing, raising questions about whether recent employment gains can continue. A recent USA Today article, “Trump rolls back federal hiring rules. Are disabled workers at risk?” examined the rollback of federal disability hiring measures. John O’Neill, PhD, director of Kessler Foundation’s Center for Employment and Disability Research, was interviewed about the changes and what they could mean for workers and employers.

Dr. O’Neill explained that it is difficult to isolate the effect of federal hiring goals because many factors have contributed to workforce participation. However, he told USA Today that government mandates “can help move the needle” by increasing awareness, accountability, and encouraging employers to devote resources to recruiting, hiring, and retaining workers with disabilities. Dr. O’Neill is a national expert in disability employment and vocational rehabilitation research.

Recent employment data reported by National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) produced by Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability provide important context. Although U.S. job growth slowed in September, employment among Americans with disabilities continued to rise. The employment-to-population ratio reached a record 40.3 percent, its highest level since nTIDE began collecting data in 2013. These historic gains underscore what could be at risk as federal hiring policies change. 

Learn more about how Kessler Foundation researchers monitor the disability employment gap.