Employability and College Graduates with Disabilities

Finding that first job after graduating college is difficult, to say the least, but for those with a disability the challenge is even greater. Employability is greater if one earns a bachelor’s degree; this is especially true for persons with a disability.

Those who graduate college and have a disability generally have a higher employment percentage than those without a college degree. Even with disability as a factor, the likelihood of finding employment increases significantly once a person obtains a four-year college degree.

The percentage of persons with a disability who are gainfully employed takes a relatively sharp increase with the attainment of a baccalaureate degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2018, the rate at which these college graduates are employed compared to their high school graduate counterparts is significant at 28.5 percent, compared to only 15.6 percent, respectively.

The National Center for Education Statistics has reported that about 12 percent of all individuals who graduate with a baccalaureate have a diagnosed disability. This segment of the population typically struggles to find employment after graduation. Compared to those without a disability, this group is often unemployed or under-employed. The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported that 28.5 percent of college graduates with a disability were employed in 2018, compared to 75.5 percent of non-disabled graduates.

Once baccalaureate recipients with a disability graduate college, they have to navigate and find occupational opportunities. Frequently, these graduates are unaware of the resources available to assist in their job-seeking endeavor.

Post-secondary institutions have partnered with organizations that assist college graduates with a disability to secure employment. Those with a disability may have a hard time gaining employment, but this is usually due to lack of experience similar to their non-disabled counterparts. Unlike their peers, however, college graduates with a disability may fear being discriminated against because of their condition.

Another avenue for assistance can come via governmental programs such as Vocational Rehabilitation. Many believe that the services provided under this program are available only to veterans, but these services are for all individuals with a documented disability who wish to be gainfully employed.