Workforce Participation Among People with Disabilities Reaches Historic High, Addressing Labor Shortages - New SHRM Study Finds

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Today, SHRM – the trusted authority on all things work, workers, and the workplace – released a new study, revealing a significant and historic increase in labor force participation among people with disabilities. The data brief, Labor Force Snapshot: People with Disabilities in the U.S. Labor Force, found the civilian labor force of people with disabilities surged by more than 30% since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, presenting a vital opportunity for employers to address ongoing labor shortages.

According to this new research, as of July 2025, nearly 25% of people with disabilities participated in the labor force – a historically high rate. This growth is partly attributed to the expansion of remote and flexible work arrangements, which have lowered traditional barriers to employment. The research indicates workers with disabilities are more likely to work fully remote schedules compared to their counterparts without disabilities.

“The remarkable increase in workforce participation among people with disabilities is a testament to what’s possible when organizations commit to inclusion and flexibility. At the SHRM Foundation, we believe every individual brings unique strengths to the workplace,” said Wendi Safstrom, President of the SHRM Foundation. “By expanding access and opportunity—especially through remote and flexible work—employers can tap into a diverse talent pool that fuels growth, resilience, and innovation."

Other key findings include:

• Workers with disabilities currently constitute 4.8% of the total employed population.
  • However, their representation is rapidly expanding, especially within younger demographics.
• Since February 2020, labor force participation among individuals with disabilities aged 16 to 24 has grown by nearly 60%.
• The share of workers with disabilities varied across occupational groups, from a low of 3.1% in life, physical, social science and health care practitioners, and technical roles – to a high of 6.5% in roles such as building, grounds cleaning, and maintenance.
  • These workers tend to have higher representation in occupations where barriers to employment are lower (e.g., educational attainment, training and qualifications).
• Despite this progress, significant challenges persist, including higher unemployment rates and lower educational attainment compared to those without disabilities.

By highlighting these trends, SHRM aims to empower HR professionals and organizations to develop strategic initiatives for recruiting, retaining, and advancing workers with disabilities. The findings suggest by embracing inclusive hiring practices and flexible work models, businesses can not only alleviate workforce challenges but also foster a more diverse and competitive economic environment.

About SHRM

SHRM is a member-driven catalyst for creating better workplaces where people and businesses thrive together. As the trusted authority on all things work, SHRM is the foremost expert, researcher, advocate, and thought leader on issues and innovations impacting today’s evolving workplaces. With nearly 340,000 members in 180 countries, SHRM touches the lives of more than 362 million workers and their families globally. Discover more at SHRM.org.