Several years ago, I met a young man with a disability who works at Bank of America. I asked him what his life was like before he got his job, and he said that every day for ten years he sat on his couch and watched television. Now he is a productive member of society and says it’s made a huge difference in his quality of life. His story is a powerful illustration of the value of employment for people with disabilities.

As we continue to confront the broader economic challenges of developing our workforce and creating jobs, it is important to remember that Americans with disabilities face disproportionately high rates of unemployment compared with their counterparts without disabilities.

But it doesn't have to stay this way.

Full article reprint from the June 2013 issue of Policy & Practice, pg. 12-15, by Jack Markell, Governor of Delaware and chair of the National Governors Association.