Disabled job seekers continue to face significant hurdles accessing state and local workforce development programs, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The investigation, requested by South Florida Congresswoman Frederica Wilson and House Committee on Education and Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. ‘Bobby’ Scott, underscores persistent gaps in accessibility despite progress under federal law.
The GAO report notes that while the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) has improved accessibility and accountability in workforce programs, individuals with disabilities still face barriers, particularly when third-party training providers fail to provide adequate accommodations.
“Disabled job seekers are employed at far lower rates than anyone else in this nation, and that is unacceptable,” Rep. Wilson said. “The GAO’s report shows that while progress has been made under WIOA, too many barriers still block the path. True workforce development means real access for everyone. It is our shared responsibility to remove these barriers and close the employment gap so that disabled job seekers have a full and equal chance to contribute, thrive, and succeed in today’s economy.”
Ranking Member Scott added, “WIOA is the cornerstone of our workforce system and offers career growth to millions, including people with disabilities. Today’s report shows that while states and localities have made progress, there is more to do. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass critical updates through the bipartisan A Stronger Workforce for America Act, ensuring all Americans have access to quality job training and the opportunities it brings.”
Enacted in 2014, WIOA streamlined federal workforce programs, enhanced accountability, and required that services be accessible to people with disabilities. It specifically identifies disability as a barrier to employment and seeks to remove obstacles to workforce participation.
Despite nearly a decade of implementation, challenges remain. In the 118th Congress, Scott and then-Chair Virginia Foxx negotiated a bipartisan WIOA reauthorization. In April 2024, the House passed the A Stronger Workforce for America Act 378–26, aiming to expand access and improve training outcomes for all Americans, including disabled job seekers.
