Former New York Yankee Jim Abbott, who once pitched a no-hitter, is now campaigning on behalf of a government effort to encourage businesses to hire individuals with disabilities.

Abbott, 40, was born without a right hand and played 10 seasons of major league baseball. Now he’s joined forces with U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), and has been appearing at major league stadiums to underscore the message that employers should look past the disability to the valuable person within.

He’s hoping to turn around some profoundly discouraging statistics. According to the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, in 2006, the employment rate for people with disabilities was 37.7 percent, compared to an employment rate of 79.7 percent for people without disabilities, a 42 percent difference.

By the time Abbott reached the majors, he was noticed for his pitching talent, not just because he was missing a right hand. Abbott said he hoped to assure that other people will be viewed similarly.

“If you have the talent, there should be opportunities for you,” he said. “There might be some things you can’t do, but there are things that you can do. Some people are not given the opportunity because of a disability.”

Abbott making a pitch for people with disabilities — ESPN

Michigan’s Jim Abbott helps pitch new federal program — Detroit Free Press

Abbott’s still pitching 15 years after his no-hitter — New York Times

Q&A with Jim Abbott — Washington Post

U.S. Dept of Labor and MLB launch campaign to encourage business to hire people with disabilities — press release

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