Although the unemployment rate for Americans without disabilities experienced a slight decline in July 2011, disabled Americans have faced a growing unemployment numbers since July 2010, says the American Association of People with Disabilities.  

"A 16.8 percent unemployment rate is unacceptable," says Mark Perriello, president and CEO of the AAPD. "This is a significant increase from July 2010, when we were at 16.4 percent. This needs to change. More than three quarters of a million people without disabilities have been hired over the last year. It's time for employers to step up to the plate, set some targets and hire qualified people from our community, as well."

"For a qualified person with a disability who wants to work, who wants to get out there and contribute to her community, to be responsible for herself – we can't say to that person, no, this country doesn't value what you have to offer," says Joyce Bender, AAPD board chair and president of Bender Consulting. "We need to open the doors of freedom through competitive employment to all people."