— State government is increasing employment for people with disabilities and is encouraging the private sector to do the same.

Gov. Roy Cooper on Thursday signed an executive order that declares North Carolina to be an "employment first" state, meaning that people with disabilities who can work should be able to do that and that the state should do what it can to help. Several states around the country are taking same steps.

Cooper wants the Office of State Human Resources and the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a plan for state agencies to expand recruiting efforts for people with disabilities and to create an inclusive job climate for them.

Although the Americans with Disabilities Act makes it illegal for employers to discriminate against people with disabilities, it can still be difficult for them to find a job, even in a tight job market.

More than 720,000 North Carolinians – about 7 percent of the state's population – are working age and disabled, according to state officials. But only 35 percent of them are employed, compared with 76 percent of North Carolinians without disabilities.

The state ranks 35th nationwide for employment for disabled workers.

Cooper said he signed the executive order to highlight what he called an untapped pool of talent.

"What we're trying to do is make businesses and everyone else understand that there is an underutilized group of people out here who want to work, who need some accommodation for whatever their disability is, but who can add great value to companies," he said.

Workers with disabilities often turn out to be among the best employees, he said.

"It is amazing how much morale disabled workers can bring to an entire workforce," he said. "Some of the most inspiring people that you will meet are people who have overcome disabilities."

The state already has one program underway, called EveryBody Works NC, that helps workers with disabilities who are trying to find work. The new outreach effort will focus on recruiting and educating employers.

Increasing employment for people with disabilities increases independence and results in cost savings for behavioral health services, intellectual and developmental disability services and acute health care, Cooper said, adding that he hopes the leadership of state agencies will encourage private employers to follow suit.

"There are a lot of disabled people who want to be in the workforce, who want to lead productive lives," he said. "It also allows them to be self-sufficient. It saves the government money from having to support people when they can support themselves. So, it's really a win-win-win all the way around."