Since March 2013, Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Institute on Disability have issued National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE), a monthly, custom report on employment data for Americans with disabilities. nTIDE is published in conjunction with the first Friday Jobs Report released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to compare employment for working-age people (16 to 64) with and without disabilities.
Within several hours after the BLS monthly jobs report is released, Kessler Foundation distributes the original nTIDE report via national wire service and social media channels. The nTIDE report is followed by government agencies, policymakers, funders, disability organizations, employers, and other interested parties. nTIDE is a joint project co-authored by John O’Neill, PhD, director of the Employment and Disability Research Center at Kessler Foundation and Andrew Houtenville, PhD, professor of economics and research director, Institute on Disability, UNH.
nTIDE analyzes key economic indicators that reflect the employment environment for Americans with and without disabilities, including:
- Labor Force Participation Rate – the rate of how many people are actively employed or looking for work compared to the total population
- Employment-to-Population Ratio – the percentage of people who are working compared to the total population
- Percentage of Individuals Actively Looking for Work
“The ability to find employment is a huge indicator of quality of life but continues to be a struggle for people with disabilities, including our veterans,” said Dr. O’Neill. “Through nTIDE, we have a benchmark to monitor the progress of our country in creating employment opportunities and removing attitudinal and physical barriers to help this talented population find jobs and succeed in the workplace,” he added.
Adding a COVID-19 nTIDE report
Meanwhile, in April 2020, restrictions on economic activity in the U.S. due to the COVID-19 pandemic precipitated an unprecedented rise in furloughs and people looking for work. This prompted the addition of a mid-month nTIDE COVID Update. The mid-month nTIDE follows two key unemployment indicators: furloughs, or temporary layoffs, and the number of people looking for work. The nTIDE team closely monitors the job numbers, comparing trends for people with and without disabilities, as the labor market continues to reflect the many challenges of the pandemic.
nTIDE Lunch & Learn Webinar Series
Following the release of every nTIDE report, a team of experts hosts a live, Lunch & Learn Webinar broadcast from 12 pm to 1 pm (ET) via Zoom featuring in-depth analyses, guest speakers, and news updates. All are welcome to join this free, interactive presentation.
Register for Latest nTIDE Lunch & Learn Webinar
Listen to previously recorded nTIDE Lunch & Learn Webinars