To get a better understanding of what the employment of Minnesotans with disabilities is, MCIL reviewed multiple sources to come up with this summary. Overall, there are about 350,000 working age Minnesotans with disabilities, (See MN Compass MN Compass Disability Stats). However, only about 183,000 of these Minnesotans, have some form of full time or part time employment, (MN Compass Disability Characteristics Report at Page 7). Most of these 183,000 working age Minnesotans work on a full-time or part-time basis where they earn at least applicable minimum wage (or, more simply “competitive integrated employment” or CIE) through private and public employers. CIE is a critical part of MCIL’s 7 Life Sustaining Dimensions strategy MCIL 7 Life Sustaining Dimensions Model - Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL). Of those who want to work and are seeking work, the interactive process and reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Minnesota Human Rights Act are powerful tools.
When compared to Minnesotans without disabilities, there is a persistent and significant employment gap, MN Compass Disability Characteristics Report, page 8. This gap exists nationwide. People with a Disability: Labor Force Characteristics - 2025. These unemployment and underemployment issues exist despite the passage and enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Minnesota Human Rights Act and despite the United States Supreme Court decision in Olmstead v. L.C., Olmstead v. L. C. | 527 U.S. 581 (1999) | Justia U.S. Supreme Court Center.
Overall, these statistics means that there about 167,000 individuals with disabilities in Minnesota without any employment. Of this 167,000, there are around 110,000 individuals who receive SSDI on the basis of prior work and who may be unable to currently work. SSDI Beneficiaries in MN. Excluding these recipients of SSDI for the moment (and noting that SSDI recipients can and do work and have access to SSDI work incentives), there are approximately 57,000 individuals with disabilities who likely could and want to work. Importantly, in addition to this 57,000, there are many Minnesotans with disabilities who are underemployed and want to increase their work and pay. (MN Compass Disability Characteristics Report, pages 7-9).
To support Minnesotans with disabilities, Minnesota has multiple additional supportive options that could help. For example, while there is some overlap between these options, the Minnesota Department of Vocational Rehabilitation Services and State Services for the Blind serve about 14,500 and 1,000 individuals per year respectively, MN SRC Annual Report; MN SSB Annual Report and Minnesota counties collectively assist 58,000 per year through employment-related Home and Community Based Waiver programs, (see MN Emp 1st Dashboard, “all waiver programs”). Also, there are around 17,000 people who benefit from benefit and asset protections from the MA-EPD program, (see MN Emp 1st Dashboard, “MaEpd program”).
We also note that Minnesota, as one of the highest percentage users of subminimum wages (or “special minimum”) under the federal 14c legislation, has around 3,500 individuals earning around $4 per hour on average and for only about 10 hours per week in segregated employment. Ending the Subminimum Wage in Minnesota; Pay People with Disabilities Minimum Wage or Higher; MN Emp 1st Dashboard. It is hoped that segregated employment can lead to CIE.
In future posts, MCIL will identify options, strategies and resources for Minnesotans with disabilities to access CIE.
