WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) today released the Report on the Employment of Individuals with Disabilities in the Federal Executive Branch.  Federal employees with disabilities represent 14.41 percent of the overall workforce, accounting for 264,844 people. This is more people with disabilities in Federal service, both in real terms and by percentage, than at any time in the past 35 years.

“This Administration has consistently demonstrated a commitment to providing equal employment opportunities for Americans with disabilities,” said Beth Cobert, Acting Director of the Office of Personnel Management. “We remain committed to supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to be a model employer for people with disabilities, and I look forward to continue building on our progress.”

In July 2010, President Obama issued Executive Order (EO) 13548 Increasing Federal Employment of Individuals with Disabilities, to mark the historic 20^th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The EO provides that as the nation’s largest employer, the Federal Government must become a model for the employment of individuals with disabilities.

“My Administration is dedicated to upholding our Nation's promise of equal opportunity for all and advancing employment for people with disabilities in every community,” President Obama said in his proclamation for National Disability Employment Awareness Month. “I am proud that the Federal Government is leading by example as a model employer.

From FY 2011 to FY 2015, the years Federal agencies have been implementing the EO, the Federal Government hired 109,575 part-time and full-time career employees with disabilities. This major milestone exceeded the Administration’s goal to hire 100,000 people with disabilities.

OPM continues to work with partner agencies to improve efforts to employ workers with disabilities through increased recruitment, hiring, and retention. For example, OPM developed an online course entitled, A Roadmap to Success: Hiring, Retaining and Including People with Disabilities. This course, which is now available to all Federal agencies, provides Federal employees with basic information and resources to successfully hire, retain, and advance employees with disabilities.