ST. PAUL – Minneapolis placed sixth and St. Paul 12^th in a recent ranking of the Best Cities for People with Disabilities.

WalletHub compared 182 cities nationwide on 34 key indicators of disability-friendliness across three larger categories – Economy, Quality of Life and Health Care. Both cities were highly ranked in the top three in the Health Care category – with Minneapolis ranked second and St. Paul third. Minneapolis also ranked ninth in the Quality of Life category and St. Paul ranked fourth best on one measure in that category: having the highest percentage of the population with walkable park access.

“I’m proud to see the Twin Cities honored as some of the best places in the country for people with disabilities to live,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. “DEED, State Services for the Blind and Vocational Rehabilitation Services are going to work tirelessly to make sure employers understand the extraordinary value people with disabilities bring to workplaces."

“As we highlight Disability Employment Awareness Month throughout October,” said SSB Director Natasha Jerde, “I’m reminded that a vital contributor to the vibrancy of our state are the many top-tier businesses who lead the way in hiring people with disabilities. These rankings show us once again that Minnesota’s strength is in our diversity. Minnesotans who are blind, DeafBlind and visually impaired, along with Minnesotans of all disabilities, contribute to our diversity and our vitality as a state. In the Twin Cities, and all across our state, people with disabilities are helping to grow our economy, improve our quality of life, and make Minnesota a great place for everyone!”

“We know that the Twin Cities offer both opportunity and accessibility for people with disabilities to live, work and enjoy a quality of life that few other places provide,” said Dee Torgerson, Director of Vocational Rehabilitation Services . “Minnesotans have long recognized the importance and the value of the businesses, public services and health care providers that amplify and enhance the social and economic contributions of individuals with disabilities.”

One in four U.S. adults – or about 61 million people – have a disability that affects major activities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This month, DEED is celebrating the 75^th Anniversary of National Disability Employment Month and the 100^th Anniversary of Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

Read about three Minnesotans who were able to prepare for, find and keep a job, thanks in part to the VRS program. Along with countless other Minnesotans over the years, they have overcome challenges to find success with the help of VRS and SSB.

Minnesotans with disabilities who are having difficulty finding employment should access resources on CareerForceMN.com. You can find additional resources for job seekers with a disability on DEED’s website.

DEED is the state's principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. For more details about the agency and its services, visit the DEED website or follow us on Twitter.