Our Mission
ODEP's mission is to develop and influence policies and practices that increase the number and quality of employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
To fulfill this mission, ODEP promotes the adoption and implementation of ODEP policy strategies and effective practices — meaning those that ODEP has developed and/or validated — that will impact the employment of people with disabilities. ODEP's approach is to drive systems and practice changes by disseminating ODEP policy strategies and effective practices, sharing information and providing technical assistance to government agencies, service providers and non-governmental entities, as well as public and private employers.
Disability Resources Programs
Technical Assistance & Policy Development Centers
Job Accommodation Network
Employer Assistance Resource Network on Disability
Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology
National Center on Leadership for the Employment and Economic Advancement of People with Disabilities
Center for Advancing Policy on Employment for Youth
News and Events
Disability Statistics
August 2025 Disability Employment Statistics Ages 16 years and over:
Labor Force Participation Rate
People with disabilities: 25.1%
People without disabilities: 67.9%
Unemployment Rate
People with disabilities: 8.6%
People without disabilities: 4.3%
Policies in Practice
Growing up in Monterrey, Mexico, Diego Mariscal learned the importance of advocacy at a young age.
Meet the Leadership Team
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Frequently Asked Questions
If you are seeking information about job accommodations for specific disabilities, please visit the Job Accommodation Network's (JAN) A to Z of Disabilities and Accommodations index.
A good place to find information on the prevalence of disability in the United States is DisabilityStatistics.org, a comprehensive online resource maintained by the Employment and Disability Institute at Cornell University.
The term "disability" is defined by the federal government in various ways, depending on the context. For the purposes of federal disability nondiscrimination laws (such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Section 188 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), the definition of a person with a disability is typically defined as someone who (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more "major life activities," (2) has a record of such an impairment, or (3) is regarded as having such an impairment. More information on federal disability non-discrimination laws, visit DOL's Disability Nondiscrimination Law Advisor.
For purposes of Social Security disability benefits, a person with a disability must have a severe disability (or combination of disabilities) that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months or result in death, and which prevents working at a "substantial gainful activity" level. State vocational rehabilitation (VR) offices define a person with a disability to be eligible for VR services if he or she has a physical or mental impairment that constitutes or results in a "substantial impediment" to employment for the applicant.
More information on the varying ways disability is defined and the origins of those definitions is available on DisabilityStatistics.org, a comprehensive online resource maintained by the Employment and Disability Institute at Cornell University.
The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is the only non-regulatory federal agency that promotes policies and coordinates with employers and all levels of government to increase workplace success for people with disabilities. More information about ODEP and its various efforts and initiatives can be found on the ODEP website.
Both the labor force participation and unemployment rate for people with disabilities are measured monthly through the Current Population Survey (CPS) and reported on DOL's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) website under "Current Disability Employment Statistics." More detailed disability employment statistics can be accessed on DOL's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is the nation's primary disability nondiscrimination law. One part, Title I, addresses employment, while other parts address issues such as state and local government services and employment, public accommodations, transportation and telecommunications. In 2008, the ADA was amended and thus is referred as the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAAA) in certain contexts.
DOL does not administer Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Rather, it is administered by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). However, DOL's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) does provide several resources to assist in understanding the employment provisions of the ADA on its ADA webpage.
The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability (EARN), a free service funded by ODEP, also offers information about the ADA on its website. In addition, ODEP's Job Accommodation Network (JAN) offers individualized assistance with accommodations, a key aspect of the ADA's employment provisions. JAN's website is AskJAN.org. Live phone service is also available 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET by calling (toll-free) 1-800-526-7234 (voice).
*If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
For broad information on the ADA, visit the U.S. Department of Justice's ADA website.
Held each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a national campaign spearheaded by DOL's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) that raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. For more information, visit ODEP's NDEAM webpage.
In support of its goal to increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities, ODEP does award grants on a competitive basis to non-profit organizations, state and local government agencies, and academic institutions. When such grants become available, they are published in the Federal Register and on the Department of Labor's Grants webpage. Information about a wide range of grants from various federal agencies can be found on Grants.gov.
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires that electronic and information technology developed, procured, maintained or used by the federal government must be accessible to people with disabilities, unless it would pose an undue burden to do so. This relates to both employees of federal agencies and customers of federal agencies who use information technology devices (e.g., kiosks, computers, electronic voting booths) to access government information and interact with government agencies. Comprehensive information about Section 508 can be found on the Section 508 website maintained by the General Services Administration (GSA).
There are many types of assistance for people with disabilities who want to attend college. A good place to start is your state vocational rehabilitation agency.
DOL does not have jurisdiction over disability insurance programs. Rather, these programs are overseen by state agencies. For assistance, contact your individual state's insurance department or commission.
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN), a free service funded by DOL's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), offers assistance to individuals with disabilities interested in self-employment and entrepreneurship. JAN's website is AskJAN.org. Live phone service is also available 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET by calling (toll-free) 1-800-526-7234 (Voice). If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
ODEP does not directly help individuals find jobs. Rather, it works to influence national policy and promote effective workplace practices to ensure that today's workforce is inclusive of people with disabilities.
However, in carrying out this mission, ODEP does work closely with the workforce development system funded by DOL's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and delivered through the nationwide network of American Job Centers. These Centers, located in communities across the U.S., do provide direct employment and training services to job seekers, including those with disabilities. To find your nearest American Job Center, visit CareerOneStop or call (toll-free) 1-877-US2-JOBS (1-877-872-5627) (Voice). If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
As the nation's largest employer, the federal government has committed to modeling effective employment policies and practices that advance America's ideal of equal opportunity for all people, including people with disabilities. A good place to learn more about related initiatives is the Federal Employers page of DOL's Office of Disability Employment Policy's (OPEP) website. Specific information about how to learn about and apply for federal employment is available on the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) web page for job seekers with disabilities.
Financial assistance for persons with disabilities preparing to enter or re-enter the workforce may be available through your closest American Job Centers. These Centers, located in communities across the U.S., provide direct employment and training services to job seekers, including those with disabilities. To find your nearest American Job Center, visit CareerOneStop or call (toll-free) 1-877-US2-JOBS (1-877-872-5627) (voice). If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
If you feel you have been or are being discriminated against on the basis of a disability, you may file a complaint under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA is administered and enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). To explore further, read the EEOC's fact sheet titled The ADA: Your Employment Rights as an Individual With a Disability, which includes information about how to file a complaint. There may also be applicable disability nondiscrimination laws in your state. For more information, contact your state Department of Labor.
No, ODEP does not award grants to individuals. However, in support of its goal to increasing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, ODEP does award grants on a competitive basis to non-profit organizations, state and local government agencies, and academic institutions. When such grants become available, they are published in the Federal Register and on the Department of Labor's Grants webpage. Information about a wide range of grants from various federal agencies can be found on Grants.gov.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other disability-related nondiscrimination laws have specific requirements regarding reasonable workplace accommodations for people with disabilities. The Job Accommodation Network (JAN), a free service funded by ODEP, is the leading source of information on workplace accommodations and can assist both individuals and employers in understanding their related rights and responsibilities. JAN's website is AskJAN.org. Live phone service is also available 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET by calling (toll-free) 1-800-526-7234 (voice). If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
DOL does not directly provide such services. Rather, through its Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), it works to influence national policy and promote effective workplace practices to ensure that today's workforce is inclusive of people with disabilities.
In carrying out this mission, ODEP does work closely with the workforce development system funded by DOL's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and delivered through the nationwide network of American Job Centers. These Centers, located in communities across the U.S., do provide direct workforce services to employers, including those seeking qualified applicants with disabilities. To find your nearest American Job Center, visit CareerOneStop or call (toll-free) 1-877-US2-JOBS (1-877-872-5627)*.
In addition, the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability (EARN), a free service funded by ODEP, offers a list of resources for employers wishing to recruit qualified applicants with disabilities.
*If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
Yes. Information about these tax incentives can be found on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website. The Job Accommodation Network (JAN), a free service funded by ODEP, also offers a fact sheet outlining these tax incentives. ODEP's website provides information on this topic as well.
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN), funded by DOL's Office of Disability Employment Policy, is the leading source of free, expert and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations. JAN's website is AskJAN.org. Live phone service is also available 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET by calling (toll-free) 1-800-526-7234.
First, it is important to note that DOL does not administer Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Rather, it is administered by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). However, DOL's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) does provide several resources to assist employers in understanding their obligations under Title I of the ADA on its ADA webpage.
The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability (EARN), a free service funded by ODEP, also offers information about the ADA on its website. In addition, ODEP's Job Accommodation Network (JAN) offers individualized assistance with accommodations, a key aspect of the ADA's employment provisions. JAN's website is AskJAN.org. Live phone service is also available 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET by calling (toll-free) 1-800-526-7234.
Finally, DOL's interactive Disability Nondiscrimination Law Advisor helps employers determine which federal disability nondiscrimination laws, including but not limited to the ADA, apply to their business or organization and their obligations under them.
Yes. ODEP and ODEP-sponsored initiatives offer a variety of materials that can be used for disability awareness training. For example, the ODEP-funded Campaign for Disability Employment (CDE) offers a variety of materials, including discussion guides and posters, on its website's PSA Campaigns page.
The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability (EARN), a free service funded by ODEP, also offers a variety of such materials on its website. In addition, ODEP's Job Accommodation Network (JAN) offers a variety of training resources, including webcasts, podcasts and online training modules. JAN's website is AskJAN.org. Live phone service is also available 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET by calling (toll-free) 1-800-526-7234.
Also, for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) each October, ODEP publishes posters that can be ordered free of charge.
Two ODEP-funded services can greatly assist you in your efforts to create a work culture inclusive of people with disabilities, and best of all, they're free of charge! The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability (EARN) offers a variety of such materials on its website. The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. JAN's website is AskJAN.org. Live phone service is also available 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET by calling (toll-free) 1-800-526-7234.
A good source for information about steps you can take to enhance your service to customers with disabilities is the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability (EARN), a free service funded by ODEP. EARN provides such information on its website.