The U.S. Social Security Administration is defending itself against a class-action lawsuit brought by about 2,000 individuals who charge that the government agency is creating a “glass ceiling” that limits promotions and other career opportunities for disabled employees.

On Aug. 25, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Office of Federal Operations acknowledged that an administrative judge had certified the class as a class action. The class includes all current and former employees with targeted disabilities who work for the Social Security Administration and applied for promotions on or after Aug. 22, 2003, appeared on a best qualified list and were denied opportunities.

The EEOC defines targeted disabilities to include deafness, blindness, missing extremities, partial or complete paralysis, convulsive disorders, mental retardation or illness, as well as genetic and physical conditions that affect limbs and/or the spine.

According to EEOC statistics, the number of federal employees with targeted disabilities has continued to decline, despite a statutory obligation requiring the federal government to be a model employer. EEOC reports also indicate that employees with targeted disabilities are also promoted with much less frequency than peers, stay in the same grade longer and are compensated at lower rates.