The Unspoken Crisis in Workplace Inclusion: 4 Alarming Trends
- Ashley Sims
- Aug 29
- 3 min read
The unemployment rate for people without disabilities currently stands at 4.3%. For people with disabilities, it has surged to 10%—more than double.
This isn't just a fluctuation in numbers. It's a signal that our systems are failing—again.
While we talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion, people with disabilities continue to be pushed out of the workforce by inaccessible practices, shrinking remote work options, and policy changes that roll back hard-won protections.
In fact, the current administration has proposed weakening two key disability protections: VEVRAA and Section 503 compliance for federal contractors. These policies were created to ensure fair hiring and advancement opportunities for workers with disabilities. Now, they’re at risk of being dismantled, making it even harder for qualified individuals to gain access to meaningful careers.
So, what’s really going on? The Disability at Work Survey Report sheds light on 4 trends that are contributing to this shift in workplace inclusion.
The 2024 survey gathered insights from individuals with disabilities and explored the barriers they face in pursuing employment and how obstacles within workplace systems and policies impact the productivity, longevity, and career success of people with disabilities.
1. The Hiring Process Isn’t Built for Inclusion
Barriers exist at every stage of employment.
83% of survey respondents said the job search is “extremely challenging”
31% struggle with inaccessible application technology
48% face obstacles during interviews
49% say requesting interview accommodations is difficult
These aren’t failures of talent or skill—they're failures of system design.
2. Accommodations Are Treated as Optional
Workplace accommodations aren’t perks—they’re essential.
58% say accommodations are the most important factor in choosing a job
Yet 45% report that requesting accommodations is very or extremely difficult
Without support, retention drops, and talented employees leave.
3. Remote Work Opportunities Are Shrinking
Remote work has been a lifeline for many with disabilities:
81% said remote work is important to their employment
Most report equal or greater productivity from home
But as companies reverse remote policies, these workers are disproportionately harmed—facing inaccessible commutes, overstimulating office environments, and rigid schedules.
4. Disability Bias Still Shapes Opportunity
The most telling finding?
74% believe their disability negatively impacts their ability to get hired
This isn't about qualifications. It's about ableism—both implicit and systemic—woven into hiring practices and workplace culture.
The Bottom Line
The disability employment gap isn’t inevitable. It’s the result of:
Outdated, exclusionary hiring systems
Inconsistent or absent accommodations
Declining remote flexibility
Persistent bias
The data is clear: the problem isn’t workers with disabilities. The problem is workplaces that weren’t built with disability in mind.
If we’re serious about equity and inclusion, we must stop treating accessibility as a checkbox—and start treating it as a foundation in workplace inclusion.
Help shape the future of workplace inclusion!
Are you a person with a disability? Researchers at Disability Solutions want to hear about your job search and work experiences.
Your insights can help improve employment opportunities for others.
The 2025 Disability at Work Survey aims to explore how recent political and organizational shifts—particularly the rollback of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives—are impacting disabled job seekers and employees. With growing national scrutiny of DEI, we are especially focused on how these changes affect individuals' willingness to self-disclose a disability to employers and whether they feel supported, protected, and seen.
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