Economy, finance and labor

Executive Order 13163: Increasing the Opportunity for Individuals With Disabilities To Be Employed in the Federal Government

President: Bill Clinton

Directed agencies to expand recruitment, hiring, advancement and accommodation for people with disabilities, aiming at 100,000 hires over five years.

Status: In effect.

Is Executive Order 13163 still in effect? Yes. Active disability-employment direction reinforced by EO 13548 and current OPM guidance.

What does Executive Order 13163 do?

EO 13163 directed executive agencies to increase recruitment and employment of qualified people with disabilities using available hiring authorities, outreach, accommodation and agency plans. Its original goal was 100,000 hires over five years; the order did not guarantee any appointment. EO 13548 later adopted a renewed 100,000-hire goal and strategy. OPM continues to cite EO 13163 in disability-employment guidance. Rehabilitation Act requirements and merit-based qualification rules remain separate legal controls.

Later evidence reviewed October 2, 2026: OPM still cites EO 13163, and EO 13548 later renewed its numerical hiring goal. The five-year target is historical, not a current hiring guarantee.

Administration position: The numerical goal was government-wide and time-limited; it did not guarantee an appointment or permit agencies to disregard qualifications, suitability or merit principles.
SignedJuly 26, 2000
Five-year goal100,000 hires
Lead supportOPM

Before and after

Before the order

The Rehabilitation Act imposed affirmative duties but federal disability hiring had declined and lacked this renewed numerical focus.

After the order

Agencies prepared hiring plans, used Schedule A and expanded recruitment and accommodation efforts.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
Federal agenciesPlan and increase disability recruitment, hiring and advancementContinuing
OPMProvide guidance and track government-wide strategyContinuing
Hiring managersUse competitive and noncompetitive authorities appropriatelyContinuing

What happened next

EO 13163 signed with a five-year, 100,000-hire goal.

EO 13548 renewed the strategy and adopted the 100,000-hire goal.

EO 13583 placed disability employment within the broader federal workforce diversity strategy.

Current OPM disability-employment references and later orders checked.