Unemployment Nears Record Levels Among People With Disabilities

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http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2010/08/06/july-jobs-10/9671/

Unemployment Nears Record Levels Among People With Disabilities

By Diament

August 6, 2010

Unemployment grew sharply among Americans with disabilities in July as the job

situation remained largely steady for the rest of the population, the Department

of Labor reported Friday.

At 16.4 percent, the unemployment rate among those with disabilities grew 2

percent over June when the rate stood at 14.4 percent. The uptick brings

unemployment close to the record high of 16.9 percent seen in August 2009.

Meanwhile, unemployment among the general population increased marginally to 9.5

percent in July from 9.4 percent the previous month.

The Department of Labor began tracking employment among people with disabilities

in October 2008. There is not yet enough data compiled to establish seasonal

trends within this group, so numbers are not seasonally adjusted.

Employment statistics on people with disabilities cover those over the age of 16

who do not live in institutions. The first employment report specific to this

population was made available in February 2009. Now, reports are released

monthly.