Work Matters: A Framework for States on Workforce Development for People with Disabilities

Despite the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, people with disabilities still experience unemployment rates higher than the national average, thus experiencing poverty and economic insecurity higher than those without disabilities. The National Conference of State Legislatures and the Council of State Governments partnered to convene the National Task Force on Workforce Development for People with Disabilities. The Work Matters report outlines the culmination of this yearlong joint task force comprised of state policymakers to address barriers to employment and develop policies to promote a workforce that provides inclusive opportunities for people with disabilities, both students and workers alike.