financial and economic opportunities. i am pleased that today s hearing will continue exploring the barriers that persons with disability experience inseeking full economic inclusion . employment options . [inaudible] various research reports, some are worth bearing in mind as we hear from and question our expert witnesses today. nearly one in four american adults live with a disability of some kind. and that number seems to be growing. the bureau of labor statistics estimates 1.2 million more americans identify as having a disability in 2021 comparedto the previous year . as many as 7 million 7 americans are now dealing with long covid and a lot of uncertainty about theirfuture . persons with disabilities are more likely to experience unemployment, lower wages and saving poverty, increased cost-of-living and homelessness compared to those without a disability . as just one metric the unemployment rate for people with disabilities, 10.8 percent. last year it was over twice th