DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT

Expanding access to education, training, and high-quality employment opportunities for people with disabilities is a bipartisan priority for Governors. Governors play a key role in helping to expand inclusivity in the workforce and leading their states in developing policy and programs that provide economic opportunity for people with disabilities.

State Government as a Model Employer for People with Disabilities: A Playbook for Governors

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that, as of January 2025, state governments employ more than 5.5 million workers nationwide, yet public-sector workforce shortages persist across the country. To help fill critical roles, state governments are increasingly looking to talent pools who are qualified but who may not be fully participating in the workforce, such as people with disabilities. As chief executives of state government, Governors have considerable authority to ensure that state employment policies consider accessibility for all workers, including for state employees with disabilities. Governors across the country have continued to demonstrate significant leadership in positioning the state as a model employer (SAME) of people with disabilities.

NGA’s publication, State Government as a Model Employer for People with Disabilities: A Playbook for Governors, highlights six actionable strategies Governors can use to improve state government career paths for people with disabilities:

Develop a strategy to increase state employment opportunities for people with disabilities;
Establish a governance and accountability structure;
Implement recruitment and hiring initiatives;
Ensure workplace accessibility;
Provide skills training for new and incumbent employees; and
Model SAME best practices for the private sector.

Governor 1

“I am proud of the way that Connecticut has been a leader in protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities when it comes to employment issues, and particularly proud of the many businesses throughout our state that make every effort to include people of all abilities as valued members of their workforces. We are at our strongest when we include people of all abilities in our workplaces, and it benefits the entire economy to make sure opportunities and resources are available for everyone.”

Governor Ned Lamont

Governor 2

“Ensuring every Alabamian has the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families remains a top priority for me. People with disabilities have successfully performed at every level, and it’s imperative that we continue to promote the abilities of all Alabamians.”

Governor Kay Ivey

Governor 3

“All New Jerseyans deserve equal access to community supports and opportunities. Prioritizing the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the workplace is a critical step forward in ensuring that our state is stronger and fairer for everyone.”

Governor Phil Murphy

Governor 4

“Now more than ever, there is a high demand to recruit, hire and retain quality employees across the state. People of all abilities are needed in our workforce as we continue to see our economy grow. I’m proud of the work our state agencies and private partners are doing to prepare people with disabilities for employment and engage businesses across the state.”

Governor Bill Lee

Governor 4

“In Maryland, we’re going to do things differently. We’re going to stand up for our disability community – unapologetically.”

Governor Wes Moore

Governor 4

“Individuals with developmental disabilities should be provided with the information, skills, opportunities, and individualized supports to make informed choices and decisions about their own lives.”

Governor Tim Walz

Governor 4

“Employment provides opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities to be financially independent, demonstrate their skills and abilities, and access the full benefits of our community.”

Governor Mike DeWine

Governor 4

“It is incumbent upon our State to protect and uphold the rights that all individuals want and deserve, including the right to gainful, productive, integrated, and necessary employment, especially for person with disabilities, whose opportunities to find a job are not as extensive and available.”

Governor Kathy Hohcul

Governor 4

“[I’m] honored to join today with disability employment advocates to highlight disability awareness and hiring […] These employers are crucial partners in our efforts to protect the most vulnerable.”

Governor Phil Scott

Disability Inclusive Workforce Policy Learning Collaborative

As Governors work to confront an extremely tight labor market, efforts to reduce barriers to workforce participation are increasingly critical for developing a skilled workforce and filling in-demand jobs. This includes expanding inclusive, accessible career opportunities for people with disabilities, who historically experience higher rates of unemployment than people without disabilities. To support Governors in their work, from January-June 2024, the NGA Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) coordinated a Disability Inclusive Workforce Policy Learning Collaborative supported by SEED. Through the Learning Collaborative, six state teams, from Maryland, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, and Vermont, received customized technical assistance from the NGA Center to develop plans to expand employment and training opportunities for people with disabilities. Facilitated peer learning opportunities and assistance from national subject matter experts also helped to inform their action plans.

The Learning Collaborative was informed in part by the NGA Center’s Disability Inclusive Workforce Policy Summit in October 2023. The Summit marked the 10th anniversary of former Delaware Governor Jack Markell’s NGA Chair’s Initiative, A Better Bottom Line, which culminated in a blueprint for Governors on advancing employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The Summit also came during National Disability Employment Awareness Month and brought together interagency teams from seven states to highlight Governors’ leadership on disability inclusive workforce policy and workshop their policy priorities on this key issue.

NGA Disability Employment Library

Promoting Employment For People With Disabilities Through Statewide Coordination: This guide describes how Governors can convene key stakeholders to promote disability employment through a collaborative planning process and provides examples of state best practices.
A Better Bottom Line: Employing People With Disabilities: This Blueprint for Governors is the culmination of former Delaware Governor Jack Markell’s 2012–2013 NGA Chair’s Initiative, A Better Bottom Line: Employing People with Disabilities.
State Strategies To Foster Inclusive Apprenticeships For People With Disabilities: This commentary outlines three strategies for states to expand access to apprenticeships for workers with disabilities to develop a more diverse, skilled workforce.
Governors Lead on Solutions to Improve Mental Health in the Workplace: This commentary recaps a conversation hosted by NGA on mental health in the workplace featuring representatives from the Office of Colorado Governor Jared Polis, the U.S. Department of Labor, and Bank of America.
Supporting Workers With Disabilities By Addressing The Mental And Behavioral Health Workforce Shortage: This commentary identifies opportunities for Governors and state policymakers to support workers with mental and behavioral health conditions by developing short- and long-term solutions to address the behavioral healthcare workforce shortage.
Governors’ Role In Promoting Disability Employment In COVID-19 Recovery Strategies: This brief outlines the impacts of COVID-19 on workers with disabilities and offers four strategies for Governors to promote disability employment in COVID-19 recovery efforts.