Workers with disabilities see gains, but big gaps remain in NY | Fingerlakes1.com

"The number of New Yorkers with disabilities in the workforce has climbed in recent years - but they're still far less likely to be employed than those without a disability. That's one of five big takeaways from a new report by the New York State Comptroller's Office that tracks employment patterns among people with disabilities from 2019 to 2024. The findings highlight both progress and persistent inequality. Between 2019 and 2024, the number of people with disabilities in New York's labor force jumped more than 40% - outpacing the national increase of 31%. The labor force participation rate (which includes both workers and job seekers) also rose, up 4.6 percentage points in New York. Still, at just 28.8%, the state's 2024 participation rate remained well below the national average of 32.3%."

"Remote work played a huge role in the shift. Flexible work options changed the game. The report ties much of the post-pandemic labor force growth to the rise of remote work, which opened doors for people with mobility, transportation, or health-related challenges. By 2024, the number of people with disabilities working from home in New York was more than two and a half times higher than pre-pandemic levels."

"Some disability groups saw more progress than others. Not all disabilities saw the same gains. People with cognitive difficulties - the largest reported group - saw a 9.6 percentage point jump in labor force participation, the biggest increase of any category. Those with independent living difficulties also saw meaningful progress, likely due to remote work easing transportation and access barriers. Meanwhile, people with hearing or self-care difficulties saw little or no improvement in participation rates. Despite the progress, major disparities persist. In 2024, labor force participation among people with disabilities was less than half that of non-disabled New Yorker"

Between 2019 and 2024, the number of New Yorkers with disabilities in the labor force rose more than 40%, outpacing the national increase of 31%. The labor force participation rate increased 4.6 percentage points to 28.8%, still below the national average of 32.3%. Expansion of remote work contributed heavily to growth, with at-home employment more than two and a half times pre-pandemic levels by 2024. People with cognitive and independent living difficulties saw the largest participation gains, while those with hearing or self-care difficulties saw little improvement. Significant employment gaps persist, with participation less than half that of non-disabled New Yorkers.

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