A lobby group today urged companies to employ more people with disabilities.
The Association for Higher Education Access and Disability (Ahead) said employers need to "wake up" to this emerging source of talent.
About 60 per cent of graduates with disabilities get jobs, but 80 per cent do not disclose a disability at the application process.
Ahead chairwoman Ann Heelan said today: "Employers need to wake up to the emerging source of talent of people with disabilities graduating from third level.
"A lot of work has already been done by the Willing Able and Mentoring (Wam) employment placement programme for graduates with disabilities.
Wam has developed a partnership with major companies, including IBM, Bank of Ireland, Hamilton Osborne King, Fás, Irish Life & Permanent and the civil service.
Of the 5,000 Leaving Certificate students in 2007, only 692 (14 per cent) disclosed their disability on the CAO form.
A total of 5,000 students with disabilities did the Leaving Certificate this year, while there are 3,000 students with disabilities in third level education.