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.
1. More workers with disabilities are joining the labor force
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%.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Employment gaps remain stubbornly wide
Despite the progress, major disparities persist.
In 2024, labor force participation among people with disabilities was less than half that of non-disabled New Yorkers — 28.8% versus 69.9%. The disability employment gap in the state stood at a staggering 41 percentage points.
Poverty remains another key issue. One in four New Yorkers with disabilities lived below the poverty line in 2024, compared to just one in ten without a disability.
5. State programs help, but more transparency is needed
New York has several efforts in place — from the “Employment First” initiative to job training through ACCES-VR and tax credits for businesses hiring people with disabilities. But awareness and results vary.
For example, the number of people hired under the state’s 55-b and 55-c programs actually dropped from 2019 to 2025, despite an increase in available positions. And even though a tax credit for employers was recently boosted to $5,000 per worker, few companies have taken advantage of it so far.
The report calls for better public tracking of progress and outcomes, especially across different disability types, to ensure future efforts close the remaining gaps.
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