The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced that in Fiscal Year (FY) 2012, people with disabilities were hired at a higher percentage than at any point in the past 32 years. Additionally, people with targeted disabilities were hired at a higher percentage than at any time in the past 17 years. This success has also led to more people with disabilities serving in federal service than at any time in the past 32 years.

“People with disabilities are a vital part of the federal workforce, as we are better able to serve the American people because of the talents and experience they bring to the table.” said OPM Director Katherine Archuleta. “Since President Obama issued his Executive Order in 2010, we’ve made substantial progress in hiring and retaining people with disabilities over the past three years. This work is enabling the federal government to continue to develop as a model employer for people with disabilities.”

According to the “Employing People with Disabilities in the Federal Executive Branch” report, in FY 2012, federal employees with disabilities represented 11.89 percent of the overall workforce, including veterans who are 30 percent or more disabled. 16.31% of new hires in FY 2012 were people with disabilities (up from 14.65% in FY 2011). Additionally, 14.65% of General Schedule grade 14 and 15 new hires in FY 2012 were people with disabilities (up from 12.24% in FY 2011). On July 26, 2010, President Barack Obama issued Executive Order 13548 - Increasing Federal Employment of Individuals with Disabilities, in which he stated that the federal government must become a model for the employment of individuals with disabilities.

OPM is responsible for providing regular reports to the President, the heads of agencies, and the public on the progress of Federal employment for people with disabilities. The report is prepared in compliance with Executive Order 13548 - Increasing Federal Employment of Individuals with Disabilities, and contains information on the representation of people with disabilities within the Federal Government and best practices of Federal agencies.

To view the report, please visit: /policy-data-oversight/diversity-and-inclusion/reports/disability-report-fy2012.pdf