Executive Order 13548: Increasing Federal Employment of Individuals With Disabilities
President: Barack Obama
Directed agencies to make the federal government a model employer and pursue hiring 100,000 people with disabilities over five years.
Status: In effect.
Is Executive Order 13548 still in effect? Yes. Active; OPM and EEOC continue disability recruitment hiring retention and affirmative-action implementation.
What does Executive Order 13548 do?
EO 13548 required agency disability-employment plans, designated officials, accountability and improved recruitment, hiring, accommodation and retention, including for targeted disabilities. OPM developed model strategies and tracks implementation alongside Rehabilitation Act affirmative-action duties.
Before and after
Before the order
EO 13163 and the Rehabilitation Act supported disability hiring without this newer numerical goal and planning regime.
After the order
Agencies adopted plans, coordinators, Schedule A outreach and retention measures with OPM oversight.
Who had to do what
| Agency / office | Action | Timing / position |
|---|---|---|
| OPM | Issue model strategies and monitor agencies | Continuing |
| Agencies | Plan recruit hire accommodate and retain | Continuing |
| EEOC | Enforce Rehabilitation Act duties | Continuing |
What happened next
EO 13548 signed.
Legal and source detail
How it works legally
The Rehabilitation Act, ADA standards, Schedule A rules and merit-system protections govern rights and appointments; the numerical goal was not an individual entitlement.
Sources by type
If a source is unavailable, first check the cited publisher or another official repository. The cited publisher remains the authority.
Primary and official sources
Orders, laws, court records and official implementation material.
- OPM — disability employment (opens in a new tab) Official record
- eCFR — Schedule A authority (opens in a new tab) Official record
How we checked this
Last checked against the sources above on September 15, 2026. How we research →