Wisconsin Sets Record High for Number of Working-Age Individuals Employed

Thursday, October 24th, 2024 -- 12:01 PM

State and federal efforts to connect people with disabilities to meaningful career opportunities achieved a new milestone in Wisconsin, setting a record high for the number of working-age individuals employed, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The achievement, celebrated recently at Madison College by Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Amy Pechacek and U.S. Department of Education Deputy Secretary Cindy Marten, follows years of investments in the Career Pathways Advancement Initiative, which has received more than $20 million in Disability Innovation Fund grants since 2021.

"As we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month this October, we celebrate the record number of people in Wisconsin with disabilities who have started new, good jobs and grown their careers," DWD's Pechacek said.

"At any given time, DWD's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is serving approximately 16,000 Wisconsin residents with disabilities and we appreciate the U.S. Department of Education and many stakeholders who help obtain, maintain, and advance employment for people with disabilities."

Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) released by the U.S. Census Bureau reveals that Wisconsin achieved a record high of 189,194 working-age individuals with disabilities employed in 2023.

This marks the second consecutive year of record-high employment for workers with disabilities in Wisconsin.

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