The latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows there are currently 8.1 million job openings. After record-high unemployment rates, that number should be a positive indicator of recovery, but it could create problems for employers if those jobs remain unfilled.
HR professionals have pulled out all the stops to attract talent, yet there is a motivated and qualified population that has remained untapped, even during this labor shortage. Individuals with disabilities are historically the first employees to have their hours cut or be laid off. Approximately 1 million people with disabilities lost their jobs between the beginning of the pandemic and July 2020, and many were forced to leave the workforce this year due to health concerns.
