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ROCKVILLE, Md. - More than half of the disabled population in Montgomery County (web | news) is unemployed and underemployed. When the alarming statistic reached the county council, members decided to take action.

The Montgomery County Council has endorsed what some would consider a rare and progressive new policy for a local jurisdiction -- a hiring priority for a candidate with a disability.

Cindy Buddington knows first hand the challenges that come with finding work. "There were physical barriers for me, but I think there were a lot of social-mental barriers," she said.

But for Buddington and other disabled residents in Montgomery County, getting a job, at least within the local government, could become a bit easier thanks to a new measure supported by council members.

On Tuesday, they unanimously moved forward on establishing a hiring preference for people who are disabled plus a separate authority that would facilitate recruitment.

"This would simply give them an extra boost for their consideration," said Councilwoman Duchy Trachtenberg.

The issue came to the forefront of the county council after a review on hiring practices. "The participation rate of people with disabilities in Montgomery County is so low, it's not even really measured," said Mark Maxin, chair of the Montgomery County Committee of Peoples with Disabilities.

As an advocate for the disabled, Maxin says that demographic is an untapped resource, and it's time to work with them and not against them.

"People with severe disabilities are traditionally discriminated against. They're among the highest in the poverty level -- the highest unemployed," he said.

Although she's bound to a wheelchair, Buddington says she overcame the obstacles and after seeing years of lobbying, she says she's happy that progress is finally being made.

"We'll have the ability to get a job, get a car, buy a house -- just live a life like everybody else," she said.

Similar hiring practices are currently in place at the federal level. It's unlikely that the council will follow the same model if the bill passes.

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