2014 Disability Status Report: Hawaii

Table of Contents

The 2014 Annual Disability Status Report

The Annual Disability Status Reports provide policy makers, disability advocates, reporters, and the public with a summary of the most recent demographic and economic statistics on the non-institutionalized population with disabilities. They contain information on the population size and disability prevalence for various demographic subpopulations, as well as statistics related to employment, earnings, household income, veterans' service-connected disability and health insurance. Comparisons are made to people without disabilities and across disability types. Disability Status Reports and other statistics are available for the United States overall, each state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico at www.disabilitystatistics.org.

The Status Reports primarily look at the working-age population because the employment gap between people with and without disabilities is a major focus of government programs and advocacy efforts. Employment is also a key factor in the social integration and economic self-sufficiency of working-age people with disabilities.

The information in this report is based on data from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) � a survey sent each year to a random sample of over 3.5 million households. For more information see the Census Bureau's ACS website http://www.census.gov/acs/www/ and our Guide to Disability Statistics from the American Community Survey (2008 Forward): http://disabilitystatistics.org/sources.cfm.

The estimates in these reports are based on responses from a sample of the population and may differ from actual population values because of sampling variability and other factors. Differences observed between the estimates for two or more groups may not be statistically significant.

http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Downloads/methodology/content_test/SummaryResultsACS2006ContentTest.pdf

 

Suggested Citation

Erickson, W. Lee, C., & von Schrader, S. (2016s). 2014 Disability Status Report: Hawaii. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Yang Tan Institute on Employment and Disability (YTI).

We would like to thank Sara VanLooy, Jason Criss, and Joe Williams for their assistance with editing and production of this document.

ACS Disability Questions

There is no single accepted definition of disability. Different definitions and disability questions may identify different populations with disabilities and result in larger or smaller estimates.

Below are the six questions used in the ACS to identify persons with disabilities. Note that the Census Bureau refers to each of the individual types as "difficulty" while in this report the term "disability" is used.

  • Hearing Disability (asked of all ages):
    • Is this person deaf or does he/she have serious difficulty hearing?
  • Visual Disability (asked of all ages):
    • Is this person blind or does he/she have serious difficulty seeing even when wearing glasses?
  • Cognitive Disability (asked of persons ages 5 or older):
    • Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions?
  • Ambulatory Disability (asked of persons ages 5 or older):
    • Does this person have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs?
  • Self-Care Disability (asked of persons ages 5 or older):
    • Does this person have difficulty dressing or bathing?
  • Independent Living Disability (asked of persons ages 15 or older):
    • Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have difficulty doing errands alone such as visiting a doctor's office or shopping?

Note:

  • The "Any Disability" category used in this report includes persons who reported one or more of the individual disability types.
  • Respondents could report more than one disability type.
  • Some disability questions were not asked of children.
  • A separate set of survey questions identify veterans with service-connected disabilities. Based on a separate set of survey questions, this report includes estimates related to veterans' service-connected disability
    (see page 51).

 

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Notes

Spanish Language Reports: Spanish language versions of the Annual Disability Status Reports for the US, all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington D.C. can be downloaded at the same location as the English Status Reports. The Spanish translation was made possible through funding from the Northeast ADA Center and NIDRR.

Puerto Rico: A Puerto Rico Disability Status Report, based on the parallel 2014 Puerto Rico Community Survey (PRCS), is available again this year in English as well as Spanish. However, please note that the Puerto Rico sample is not included in any U.S. population estimates included in these reports.

Group Quarters: In 2006, the ACS began surveying the group quarters population. We include the non-institutionalized group quarters population, but due to small state level sample sizes exclude the institutionalized group quarters population (see glossary) in the Disability Status Reports.

Margin of Error (MOE): As in previous years' reports we provide the 90% MOE to better illustrate sampling variability. See the glossary entry for more information on this topic.

Glossary: As in previous years, we provide a comprehensive glossary at the back of this report defining the terms used in the Disability Status Report (see glossary).

Note: According to the Census Bureau, estimates based on the ACS Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) file such as those included in this report may differ slightly from the ACS summary tables produced by the Census Bureau, because they are subject to additional sampling error and further data processing operations. Please see http://www.disabilitystatistics.org/faq.cfm#Q4 for further information.

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Hawaii Summary

These statistics indicate the social and economic status of non-institutionalized people with disabilities in Hawaii, using data from the 2014 American Community Survey (ACS).

Age: In 2014, the prevalence of disability in HI was:

  • 11.2 percent for persons of all ages
  • 0.1 percent for persons ages 4 and under
  • 3.6 percent for persons ages 5 to 15
  • 4.1 percent for persons ages 16 to 20
  • 8.3 percent for persons ages 21 to 64
  • 21.8 percent for persons ages 65 to 74
  • 52.4 percent for persons ages 75+

Disability Type: In 2014, the prevalence of the six disability types among persons of all ages in HI was:

  • 1.7% reported a Visual Disability
  • 4% reported a Hearing Disability
  • 6.4% reported an Ambulatory Disability
  • 4.7% reported a Cognitive Disability
  • 2.6% reported a Self-Care Disability
  • 5.6% reported an Independent Living Disability

Gender: In 2014, 11.3 percent of females of all ages and 11.1 percent of males of all ages in HI reported a disability.

Hispanic/Latino: In 2014, the prevalence of disability among persons of all ages of Hispanic or Latino origin in HI was 10 percent.

Race: In HI in 2014, the prevalence of disability for working-age people (ages 21 to 64) was:

  • 8.4 percent among Whites
  • 7.3 percent among Black / African Americans
  • 7 percent among Asians
  • 20.7 percent among Native Americans
  • 9.7 percent among persons of some other race(s)

Employment: In 2014, the employment rate of working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in HI was 45.2 percent.

Looking for Work: In HI in 2014, the percentage actively looking for work among people with disabilities who were not working was 7.8 percent.

Full-Time/Full-Year Employment: In HI in 2014, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities working full-time/full-year was 29 percent.

Annual Earnings: In 2014, the median annual earnings of working-age people with disabilities working full-time/full-year in HI was $45,400.

Annual Household Income: In HI in 2014, the median annual income of households with working-age people with disabilities was $66,100.

Poverty: In HI in 2014, the poverty rate of working-age people with disabilities was 25.6 percent.

Supplemental Security Income: In 2014, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities receiving SSI payments in HI was 16.7 percent.

Educational Attainment: In 2014, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities in HI:

  • with only a high school diploma or equivalent was 36.4 percent
  • with only some college or an associate degree was 32.4 percent
  • with a bachelor's degree or more was 17.7 percent.

Veterans Service-Connected Disability: In 2014, the percentage of working-age civilian veterans with a VA determined Service-Connected Disability was 20.6 percent in HI.

Health Insurance Coverage: In 2014 in HI, 92.5 percent of working-age people with disabilities had health insurance.

Prevalence: Ages 21 - 64

This summary lists percentages by state of non-institutionalized working-age (ages 21 to 64) people with disabilities using data from the 2014 American Community Survey (ACS). The US disability prevalence rate for this population was 10.8%

Location 2014 (%) Location 2014 (%)
Alabama 14.9 Montana 12
Alaska 9.9 Nebraska 9
Arizona 11 Nevada 12
Arkansas 15.4 New Hampshire 9.6
California 8.4 New Jersey 8.1
Colorado 9 New Mexico 13.8
Connecticut 8.9 New York 9.1
Delaware 9.8 North Carolina 12.1
District of Columbia 9.9 North Dakota 8.3
Florida 10.4 Ohio 12.5
Georgia 11.5 Oklahoma 14.8
Hawaii 8.3 Oregon 13.4
Idaho 11 Pennsylvania 11.7
Illinois 8.8 Puerto Rico 19
Indiana 12.6 Rhode Island 12.1
Iowa 9.5 South Carolina 13.3
Kansas 11.3 South Dakota 10.5
Kentucky 16.7 Tennessee 14.7
Louisiana 13.4 Texas 10.2
Maine 14.7 Utah 8.7
Maryland 8.6 Vermont 13.4
Massachusetts 9.3 Virginia 9.7
Michigan 13 Washington 11.2
Minnesota 8.8 West Virginia 17.8
Mississippi 15.7 Wisconsin 10.1
Missouri 13.3 Wyoming 10.7
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Employment: Ages 21 - 64

This summary lists employment rates by state of non-institutionalized working-age (ages 21 to 64) people with disabilities using data from the 2014 American Community Survey (ACS). The employment rate in the US for this population was 34.6% for people with disabilities and 77.6% for people without disabilities.

Location People with Disabilities 2014 People without Disabilities 2014 Location People with Disabilities 2014 People without Disabilities 2014
Alabama 27.1 73.8 Montana 41 78.2
Alaska 42.1 79.1 Nebraska 46.2 86.2
Arizona 33.2 74.5 Nevada 42 76.1
Arkansas 30.9 76.2 New Hampshire 40.2 83.2
California 33.5 74.7 New Jersey 39.9 78.8
Colorado 40.7 80.7 New Mexico 31 73.4
Connecticut 40.3 79.9 New York 33.3 77
Delaware 36.8 78.1 North Carolina 31.7 76.9
District of Columbia 34.7 79.9 North Dakota 53.7 83.6
Florida 30.4 75.7 Ohio 34.4 79.1
Georgia 29.8 75.7 Oklahoma 37.9 77.6
Hawaii 45.2 79.9 Oregon 36 76.8
Idaho 35.7 77.3 Pennsylvania 35.4 78.9
Illinois 36.1 77.9 Puerto Rico 22.6 56
Indiana 37.5 78.8 Rhode Island 35.5 79.8
Iowa 43.6 84.2 South Carolina 29.4 76.8
Kansas 39.7 81.2 South Dakota 48.1 85.8
Kentucky 27.3 76.1 Tennessee 29.9 76.6
Louisiana 33.5 74.8 Texas 38.4 77.6
Maine 32.6 80.9 Utah 42.4 79
Maryland 39.9 80.8 Vermont 36 83.1
Massachusetts 35.2 81.2 Virginia 37.8 80.4
Michigan 29.7 75.9 Washington 38.3 78
Minnesota 44 84.3 West Virginia 26.7 72.6
Mississippi 28.3 73.9 Wisconsin 39.8 82.3
Missouri 32.9 79.1 Wyoming 46.7 82.3
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Prevalence

All Ages

Prevalence: All Ages 11.2%

Introduction

This section addresses the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people of all ages in Hawaii, using data from the 2014 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2014, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability of all ages in HI was 11.2 percent.
  • In other words, in 2014, 157,800 of the 1,408,000 individuals of all ages in HI reported one or more disabilities.
  • In HI in 2014, among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Ambulatory Disability," 6.4 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Visual Disability," 1.7 percent.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people of all ages in Hawaii in 2014*

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 11.2 0.61 157,800 8,580 1,408,000 14,063
Visual 1.7 3.29 24,000 3,520 1,408,000 14,063
Hearing 4 0.38 56,800 5,350 1,408,000 14,063
Ambulatory 6.4 0.49 84,000 6,440 1,318,900 13,252
Cognitive 4.7 0.42 62,400 5,600 1,318,900 13,252
Self-Care 2.6 0.32 34,400 4,200 1,318,900 13,252
Independent Living 5.6 0.49 64,200 5,680 1,147,300 11,604

* Note: Children under the age of five were only asked about Vision and Hearing disabilities. The Independent Living disability question was only asked of persons aged 16 years old and older.

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Prevalence

Ages 4 years and under

Prevalence: Ages 4 and under 0.1%

Introduction

This section focuses on the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized children ages 4 and under in Hawaii, using data from the 2014 American Community Survey (ACS). Only the two sensory disability questions were asked of this population. For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2014, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of children with a visual and/or hearing disability ages 0 to 4 in HI was 0.1 percent.
  • In other words, in 2014, 100 of the 89,100 children ages 0 to 4 in HI reported one or more disabilities.
  • In HI in 2014, 0 percent reported a visual disability
  • In HI in 2014, 0.1 percent reported a hearing disability

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 4 and under in Hawaii in 2014

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 0.1 3.29 100 400 89,100 811
Visual 0 3.29 0 400 89,100 811
Hearing 0.1 3.29 100 400 89,100 811
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Prevalence

Ages 5 to 15 years

Prevalence: Ages 5 to 15 years 3.6%

Introduction

This section focuses on the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized children ages 5 to 15 in Hawaii, using data from the 2014 American Community Survey (ACS)*. For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2014, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of children with a disability ages 5 to 15 in HI was 3.6 percent.
  • In other words, in 2014, 6,600 of the 184,500 individuals ages 5 to 15 in HI reported one or more disabilities.
  • In HI in 2014, among the five types of disabilities* identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Cognitive Disability," 2.6 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Visual Disability," 0.5 percent.

Prevalence of disability* among non-institutionalized people ages 5 to 15 in Hawaii in 2014

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 3.6 0.99 6,600 1,860 184,500 1,809
Visual 0.5 3.29 900 670 184,500 1,809
Hearing 0.6 3.29 1,100 740 184,500 1,809
Ambulatory 0.6 3.29 1,100 750 184,500 1,809
Cognitive 2.6 0.85 4,900 1,590 184,500 1,809
Self-Care 0.7 3.29 1,300 820 184,500 1,809

* Note: The "Independent Living Disability" question was not asked of children ages 15 years and younger.

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Prevalence

Ages 16 to 20 years

Prevalence: Ages 16 to 20 years 4.1%

Introduction

This section focuses on the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 16 to 20 in Hawaii, using data from the 2014 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2014, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability ages 16 to 20 in HI was 4.1 percent.
  • In other words, in 2014, 3,700 of the 89,400 individuals ages 16 to 20 in HI reported one or more disabilities.
  • In HI in 2014, among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Cognitive Disability," 3.4 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Visual Disability," 0.2 percent.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 16 to 20 in Hawaii in 2014

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 4.1 1.52 3,700 1,390 89,400 923
Visual 0.2 3.29 200 400 89,400 923
Hearing 0.3 3.29 300 400 89,400 923
Ambulatory 0.6 3.29 500 540 89,400 923
Cognitive 3.4 1.38 3,000 1,250 89,400 923
Self-Care 0.3 3.29 200 400 89,400 923
Independent Living 2.1 1.11 1,900 1,000 89,400 923
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Prevalence

Ages 21 to 64 years

Prevalence: Ages 21 to 64 years 8.3%

Introduction

This section focuses on the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) in Hawaii, using data from the 2014 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2014, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of working age people (ages 21 to 64) with a disability in HI was 8.3 percent.
  • In other words, in 2014, 67,900 of the 820,100 individuals ages 21 to 64 in HI reported one or more disabilities.
  • In HI in 2014, among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Ambulatory Disability," 4 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was "Visual Disability," 1.4 percent.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 21 to 64 in Hawaii in 2014

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 8.3 0.70 67,900 5,830 820,100 7,979
Visual 1.4 3.29 11,700 2,460 820,100 7,979
Hearing 2.3 0.38 18,600 3,110 820,100 7,979
Ambulatory 4 0.50 32,900 4,110 820,100 7,979
Cognitive 3.5 0.47 29,000 3,860 820,100 7,979
Self-Care 1.5 3.29 12,300 2,530 820,100 7,979
Independent Living 3 0.43 24,400 3,550 820,100 7,979
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Prevalence

Ages 65 to 74 years

Prevalence: Ages 65 to 74 years 21.8%

Introduction

This section explores the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 65 to 74 in Hawaii, using data from the 2014 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2014, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability ages 65 to 74 in HI was 21.8 percent.
  • In other words, in 2014, 27,300 of the 125,200 individuals ages 65 to 74 in HI reported one or more disabilities.
  • In HI in 2014, among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Ambulatory Disability," 12.7 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Visual Disability," 2.8 percent.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 65 to 74 in Hawaii in 2014

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 21.8 2.67 27,300 3,750 125,200 1,434
Visual 2.8 1.07 3,500 1,350 125,200 1,434
Hearing 7.7 1.73 9,700 2,250 125,200 1,434
Ambulatory 12.7 2.15 15,900 2,870 125,200 1,434
Cognitive 5 1.41 6,200 1,810 125,200 1,434
Self-Care 3.7 1.22 4,600 1,550 125,200 1,434
Independent Living 6.3 1.57 7,900 2,030 125,200 1,434
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Prevalence

Ages 75 and Older

Prevalence: Ages 75 and Older 52.4%

Introduction

This section focuses on the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 75 and older in Hawaii, using data from the 2014 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2014, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability ages 75 and older in HI was 52.4 percent.
  • In other words, in 2014, 52,200 of the 99,700 individuals ages 75 and older in HI reported one or more disabilities.
  • In HI in 2014, among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Ambulatory Disability," 33.8 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Visual Disability," 7.9 percent.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 75 and older in Hawaii in 2014

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 52.4 3.63 52,200 5,140 99,700 1,107
Visual 7.9 1.95 7,800 2,020 99,700 1,107
Hearing 27.1 3.23 27,000 3,730 99,700 1,107
Ambulatory 33.8 3.43 33,600 4,150 99,700 1,107
Cognitive 19.4 2.87 19,300 3,160 99,700 1,107
Self-Care 16 2.66 15,900 2,880 99,700 1,107
Independent Living 30.2 3.33 30,100 3,930 99,700 1,107
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Prevalence

Gender and Age

Prevalence: Males All Ages 11.1%
Prevalence: Female All Ages 11.3%

Introduction

This section examines the prevalence of disability among people by gender and age group in Hawaii, using data from the 2014 American Community Survey (ACS)*. For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In HI in 2014, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of males with a disability of all ages was 11.1 percent.
  • In other words, in 2014, 78,700 of the 709,400 males of all ages in HI reported one or more disabilities.
  • In HI in 2014, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of females with a disability of all ages was 11.3 percent.
  • In other words, in 2014, 79,100 of the 698,600 females of all ages in HI reported one or more disabilities.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people by gender and age group in Hawaii in 2014

Gender & Age Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Males
Males: All Ages 11.1 0.85 78,700 6,250 709,400 6,981
Males: Ages 4 and under 0.2 3.29 100 400 44,800 412
Males: Ages 5-15 4.5 1.54 4,400 1,510 96,300 921
Males: Ages 16-20 5.2 2.32 2,500 1,150 48,300 492
Males: Ages 21-64 8.7 1 36,700 4,330 419,900 3,994
Males: Ages 65-74 23.6 3.97 14,200 2,710 60,100 713
Males: Ages 75+ 52 5.72 20,800 3,280 40,000 449
Females
Females: All Ages 11.3 0.87 79,100 6,260 698,600 7,082
Females: Ages 4 and under 0 3.29 0 400 44,400 399
Females: Ages 5-15 2.5 1.21 2,200 1,080 88,200 888
Females: Ages 16-20 2.8 1.86 1,100 770 41,100 431
Females: Ages 21-64 7.8 0.97 31,200 4,000 400,300 3,985
Females: Ages 65-74 20.2 3.60 13,100 2,610 65,100 721
Females: Ages 75+ 52.7 4.69 31,400 4,020 59,600 658

* Note: Children ages 0-4 were only asked about visual and hearing disabilities, children ages 5-15 were not asked the "Independent Living Disability" question.

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Prevalence

Hispanic/Latino Origin and Age

Prevalence: Hispanic All Ages 10%
Prevalence: Non-Hispanic All Ages 11.3%

Introduction

This section examines the prevalence of disability among people by Hispanic/Latino origin and age group in Hawaii, using data from the 2014 American Community Survey (ACS)*. For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In HI in 2014, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of disability among people of Hispanic/Latino origin of all ages was 10 percent.
  • In other words, in 2014, 14,100 of the 141,500 people of Hispanic/Latino origin of all ages in HI reported one or more disabilities.
  • In HI in 2014, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of disability among people of non-Hispanic/Latino origin of all ages was 11.3 percent.
  • In other words, in 2014, 143,700 of the 1,266,500 people of non-Hispanic/Latino origin of all ages in HI reported one or more disabilities.

* Note: Children ages 0-4 were only asked about visual and hearing disabilities, children age 5-15 were not asked the "Independent Living Disability" question.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people by Hispanic / Latino origin and age group in Hawaii in 2014

Hispanic/Latino Origin & Age Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Hispanic
Hispanic - All Ages 10 1.83 14,100 2,710 141,500 1,283
Hispanic - Ages 4 and under 0 3.29 0 400 19,400 141
Hispanic - Ages 5-15 7.5 3.54 2,200 1,070 29,000 280
Hispanic - Ages 16-20 6.4 5.37 700 610 11,000 126
Hispanic - Ages 21-64 12.1 2.72 9,100 2,170 75,100 661
Hispanic - Ages 65-74 28.5† 16.22 1,200 780 4,100 37
Hispanic - Ages 75+ 34.2† 19.85 1,000 730 3,000 38
Non-Hispanic
Non-Hispanic - All Ages 11.3 0.65 143,700 8,230 1,266,500 12,780
Non-Hispanic - Ages 4 and under 0.1 3.29 100 400 69,800 670
Non-Hispanic - Ages 5-15 2.8 0.97 4,400 1,520 155,500 1,529
Non-Hispanic - Ages 16-20 3.8 1.56 3,000 1,250 78,400 797
Non-Hispanic - Ages 21-64 7.9 0.72 58,800 5,440 745,100 7,318
Non-Hispanic - Ages 65-74 21.6 2.71 26,100 3,670 121,100 1,397
Non-Hispanic - Ages 75+ 53 3.68 51,200 5,090 96,700 1,069

* Note: Children ages 0-4 were only asked about visual and hearing disabilities, children ages 5-15 were not asked the "Independent Living Disability" question.
† Caution: Estimate based on small sample size (less than 40 individuals).

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Prevalence

Race

Introduction

This section presents the disability prevalence rate among non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by race category in HI, using data from the 2014 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

In 2014, among working-age people in HI:

  • 8.4 percent of persons who were White reported a disability.
  • 7.3 percent of persons who were Black/African American reported a disability.
  • 20.7† percent of persons who were Native American reported a disability.
  • 7 percent of persons who were Asian reported a disability.
  • 9.7 percent of persons who were some other race(s) reported a disability.

† Caution: Estimate based on small sample size (less than 40 individuals).

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by race in Hawaii in 2014

Race Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
White 8.4 1.32 19,400 3,170 231,700 2,156
Black/African American 7.3 4.12 1,500 900 21,000 149
Native American or
Alaska Native		 20.7† 25.29 300 400 1,300 15
Asian 7 1.06 21,600 3,340 306,900 2,947
Some other race(s) 9.7 1.33 25,100 3,600 259,300 2,712

† Caution: Estimate based on small sample size (less than 40 individuals).

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Employment

Employment: with disability 45.2%
Employment: without disability 79.9%

Introduction

This section examines the employment rates of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in Hawaii, using data from the 2014 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2014, the employment rate of working-age people with disabilities in HI was 45.2 percent.
  • In 2014, the employment rate of working-age people without disabilities in HI was 79.9 percent.
  • The gap between the employment rates of working-age people with and without disabilities was 34.7 percentage points.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest employment rate was for people with a "Hearing Disability," 61.4 percent. The lowest employment rate was for people with a "Independent Living Disability," 19.9 percent.

Employment of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by disability status in Hawaii in 2014

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 79.9 1.06 601,100 13,450 752,300 7,273
Any Disability 45.2 4.38 30,700 3,970 67,900 706
Visual 59.7 10.41 7,000 1,910 11,700 105
Hearing 61.4 8.18 11,400 2,440 18,600 163
Ambulatory 36.4 6.08 12,000 2,500 32,900 347
Cognitive 34 6.37 9,900 2,270 29,000 290
Self-Care 28.6 9.33 3,500 1,360 12,300 112
Independent Living 19.9 5.86 4,900 1,590 24,400 230
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Not Working but Actively Looking for Work

Actively Looking: with disability 7.8%
Actively Looking: without disability 16.2%

Introduction

This section focuses on the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in Hawaii who are not working but actively looking for work, using data from the 2014 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2014 in HI, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities who were not working but actively looking for work was 7.8 percent.
  • In 2014 in HI, the percentage of working-age people without disabilities who were not working but actively looking for work was 16.2 percent.
  • The difference in the percentage not working but actively looking for work between working-age people with and without disabilities was 8.4 percentage points.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest percentage of not working but actively looking for work was for people with a "Cognitive Disability," 8 percent. The lowest percentage was for people with a "Visual Disability," 1 percent.

Percentage who are not working but actively looking for work among non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) in Hawaii in 2014

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 16.2 2.17 24,500 3,550 151,100 1,525
Any Disability 7.8 3.18 2,900 1,230 37,200 408
Visual 1 3.29 0 400 4,700 47
Hearing 5.8 6.32 400 400 7,200 74
Ambulatory 5.4 3.58 1,100 770 20,900 236
Cognitive 8 4.49 1,500 900 19,100 201
Self-Care 5.2 5.43 500 490 8,800 88
Independent Living 5.2 3.64 1,000 730 19,500 190
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Full-Time / Full-Year Employment

FT / FY Employment: with disability 29%
FT / FY Employment: without disability 60.6%

Introduction

This section presents the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities working full-time/full-year in Hawaii, using data from the 2014 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2014, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities working full-time/full-year in HI was 29 percent.
  • In 2014, the percentage of working-age people without disabilities working full-time/full-year in HI was 60.6 percent.
  • The difference in the percentage working full-time/full-year between working-age people with and without disabilities was 31.6 percentage points.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest full-time/full-year employment rate was for people with "Visual Disability," 39.2 percent. The lowest full-time/full-year employment rate was for people with "Independent Living Disability," 9.9 percent.

Full-Time/Full-Year employment of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by disability status in Hawaii in 2014

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 60.6 1.29 455,500 12,740 752,300 7,273
Any Disability 29 3.99 19,700 3,190 67,900 706
Visual 39.2 10.36 4,600 1,550 11,700 105
Hearing 38.3 8.17 7,100 1,930 18,600 163
Ambulatory 24.1 5.41 7,900 2,030 32,900 347
Cognitive 14.7 4.76 4,300 1,490 29,000 290
Self-Care 14.3 7.23 1,800 960 12,300 112
Independent Living 9.9 4.39 2,400 1,130 24,400 230
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Annual Earnings (Full-Time / Full-Year workers)

Earnings: with disability $45,400
Earnings: without disability $44,400

Introduction

This section examines the median annual earnings of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities who work full-time/full-year in Hawaii, using data from the 2014 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2014, the median earnings of working-age people with disabilities who worked full-time/full-year in HI was $45,400.
  • In 2014, the median earnings of working-age people without disabilities who worked full-time/full-year in HI was $44,400.
  • The difference in the median earnings between working-age people with and without disabilities who worked full-time/full-year was $-1,000.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest annual earnings was for people with "Independent Living Disability," $60,500†. The lowest annual earnings was for people with "Cognitive Disability," $35,300.

† Caution: Estimate based on small sample size (less than 40 individuals).

Median annual earnings of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) who work full-time/full-year by disability status in Hawaii in 2014

Disability Type Median Earnings MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability $44,400 $1,280 455,000 4,317
Any Disability $45,400 $6,880 20,000 193
Visual $48,400 $13,550 5,000 40
Hearing $40,300 $11,440 7,000 63
Ambulatory $45,400 $11,400 8,000 71
Cognitive $35,300 $12,530 4,000 42
Self-Care $37,800† $11,800 2,000 13
Independent Living $60,500† $17,610 2,000 20

† Caution: Estimate based on small sample size (less than 40 individuals).

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Annual Household Income

Household Income: with disability $66,100
Household Income: without disability $78,500

Introduction

This section illustrates the median annual income* of households that include any working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in Hawaii, using data from the 2014 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2014, the median income of households that include any working-age people with disabilities in HI was $66,100.
  • In 2014, the median income of households that do not include any working-age people with disabilities in HI was $78,500.
  • The difference in the median income between households including and not including working-age people with disabilities was $12,400.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest median income was for households including persons with a "Self-Care Disability," $70,700. The lowest median income was for households containing persons with a "Cognitive Disability" $57,400.

* Note: Household income is not available for persons living in group quarters.

Median annual income* of households including any working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by disability status in Hawaii in 2014

Disability Type Median H.H. Income MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability $78,500 $3,300 323,000 3,271
Any Disability $66,100 9,090 53,000 558
Visual $70,600 22,040 10,000 97
Hearing $68,700 18,330 16,000 147
Ambulatory $64,500 12,020 28,000 279
Cognitive $57,400 16,630 21,000 220
Self-Care $70,700 23,900 10,000 106
Independent Living $62,500 16,060 19,000 204

* Note: Household income is not available for persons living in group quarters.

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Poverty

Poverty: with disability 25.6%
Poverty: without disability 9.1%

Introduction

This section examines the poverty rates* of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in Hawaii, using data from the 2014 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2014, the poverty rate of working-age people with disabilities in HI was 25.6 percent.
  • In 2014, the poverty rate of working-age people without disabilities in HI was 9.1 percent.
  • The difference in the poverty rate between working-age people with and without disabilities was 16.5 percentage points.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest poverty rate was for people with "Cognitive Disability," 36.8 percent. The lowest poverty rate was for people with "Hearing Disability," 20.6 percent.

* Note: The Census Bureau does not calculate poverty status for those people living in military group quarters or college dormitories.

Poverty rates* of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by disability status in Hawaii in 2014

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 9.1 1.04 67,000 7,860 740,200 7,062
Any Disability 25.6 5.24 17,100 4,050 67,000 692
Visual 24 12.32 2,800 1,640 11,600 104
Hearing 20.6 9.26 3,800 1,910 18,400 160
Ambulatory 28 7.72 9,100 2,960 32,700 343
Cognitive 36.8 8.91 10,400 3,160 28,300 280
Self-Care 35 13.36 4,300 2,040 12,300 112
Independent Living 35.1 9.51 8,600 2,870 24,400 230

* Note: The Census Bureau does not calculate poverty status for those people living in military group quarters or college dormitories.

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Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI Recipients: with disability 16.7%

Introduction

This section focuses on the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in Hawaii, using data from the 2014 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary. Please note that these results will differ from official Social Security Administration reports for several reasons. For additional information, please email DisabilityStatistics@cornell.edu.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2014, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities receiving Supplemental Security Income payments in HI was 16.7 percent.
  • In 2014, the number of working-age people with disabilities receiving Supplemental Security Income payments in HI was 11,300.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest percentage that received SSI was people with "Self-Care Disability," 26.6 percent. The lowest percentage that received SSI was people with "Hearing Disability," 6.8 percent.

Percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in Hawaii in 2014

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
Any Disability 16.7 3.28 11,300 2,430 67,900 706
Visual 13.9 7.34 1,600 920 11,700 105
Hearing 6.8 4.23 1,300 810 18,600 163
Ambulatory 22.4 5.27 7,400 1,960 32,900 347
Cognitive 24.8 5.81 7,200 1,940 29,000 290
Self-Care 26.6 9.12 3,300 1,310 12,300 112
Independent Living 24.4 6.31 5,900 1,760 24,400 230
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Education

High School Diploma/Equivalent

High School Only: with disability 36.4%
High School Only: without disability 26.9%

Introduction

This section explores the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities with only a high school diploma or equivalent in Hawaii, using data from the 2014 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2014, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities with only a high school diploma or equivalent in HI was 36.4 percent.
  • In 2014, the percentage of working-age people without disabilities with only a high school diploma or equivalent in HI was 26.9 percent.
  • The difference in the percentage with only a high school diploma or equivalent between working-age people with and without disabilities was 9.5 percentage points.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest percentage with only a high school diploma or equivalent was for people with "Independent Living Disability," 41.9 percent. The lowest percentage with only a high school diploma or equivalent was for people with "Visual Disability," 25.9 percent.

Percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with only a high school diploma or equivalent by disability status in HI in 2014

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 26.9 1.17 202,500 9,550 752,300 7,273
Any Disability 36.4 4.23 24,700 3,570 67,900 706
Visual 25.9 9.30 3,000 1,260 11,700 105
Hearing 31 7.77 5,800 1,740 18,600 163
Ambulatory 37.8 6.13 12,400 2,540 32,900 347
Cognitive 41.2 6.62 12,000 2,500 29,000 290
Self-Care 39.7 10.10 4,900 1,600 12,300 112
Independent Living 41.9 7.24 10,200 2,310 24,400 230
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Education

Some College/Associate's Degree

Some College: with disability 32.4%
Some College: without disability 35.4%

Introduction

This section examines the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities with only some college or an Associate's degree in Hawaii, using data from the 2014 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2014, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities with only some college or an Associate's degree in HI was 32.4 percent.
  • In 2014, the percentage of working-age people without disabilities with only some college or an Associate's degree in HI was 35.4 percent.
  • The difference in the percentage with only some college or an Associate's degree between working-age people with and without disabilities was 3 percentage points.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest percentage with only some college or an Associate's degree was for people with "Ambulatory Disability," 35.9 percent. The lowest percentage with only some college or Associate's degree was for people with "Independent Living Disability," 25.8 percent.

Percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with only some college or an Associate's degree by disability status in Hawaii in 2014

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 35.4 1.26 266,000 10,650 752,300 7,273
Any Disability 32.4 4.12 22,000 3,370 67,900 706
Visual 33.5 10.02 3,900 1,430 11,700 105
Hearing 32 7.84 6,000 1,770 18,600 163
Ambulatory 35.9 6.06 11,800 2,480 32,900 347
Cognitive 28.9 6.10 8,400 2,090 29,000 290
Self-Care 34.9 9.84 4,300 1,500 12,300 112
Independent Living 25.8 6.42 6,300 1,810 24,400 230
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Education

Bachelor's Degree or More

Bachelor's Degree or More: with disability 17.7%
Bachelor's Degree or More: without disability 32.5%

Introduction

This section presents the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities with a Bachelor's degree or more in Hawaii, using data from the 2014 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2014, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities with a Bachelor's degree or more in HI was 17.7 percent.
  • In 2014, the percentage of working-age people without disabilities with a Bachelor's degree or more in HI was 32.5 percent.
  • The difference in the percentage with a Bachelor's degree or more between working-age people with and without disabilities was 14.8 percentage points.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest percentage with a Bachelor's degree or more was for people with "Hearing Disability," 26.2 percent. The lowest percentage with a Bachelor's degree or more was for people with "Independent Living Disability," 12.3 percent.

Percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with a Bachelor's degree or more by disability status in Hawaii in 2014

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 32.5 1.24 244,200 10,300 752,300 7,273
Any Disability 17.7 3.36 12,000 2,500 67,900 706
Visual 23.2 8.96 2,700 1,190 11,700 105
Hearing 26.2 7.39 4,900 1,600 18,600 163
Ambulatory 13.9 4.37 4,600 1,550 32,900 347
Cognitive 13 4.52 3,800 1,400 29,000 290
Self-Care 12.4 6.80 1,500 890 12,300 112
Independent Living 12.3 4.82 3,000 1,250 24,400 230
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Veterans Service-Connected Disability Rating

Veterans with a Service-Connected Disability 20.6%

Introduction

This section presents the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age (ages 21 to 64) civilian veterans reporting a service-connected disability rating in Hawaii. The 2008 American Community Survey (ACS) asks if the veteran has a service-connected disability, and if so, what their rating is (0-100%). A "service-connected" disability is one that has been determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as being a result of disease or injury incurred or aggravated during military service. Note that a veteran can receive disability compensation for a wide range of conditions, and a veteran with a service-connected disability may not report having one of the six ACS functional or activity limitation disabilities. For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2014, there were 63,000 working-age civilian veterans in HI, of whom 13,000 had a VA service-connected disability.
  • In 2014, the percentage of working-age civilian veterans in HI with a VA service-connected disability was 20.6 percent.
  • In 2014, 3,700 working-age civilian veterans in HI had the most severe service-connected disability rating (70 percent or above).
  • In 2014, 28.2 percent of the working-age civilian veterans in HI who had a service connected disability had a service-connected disability rating of 70 percent or above.

Disability rating of working-age civilian veterans (ages 21 to 64) with a service-connected disability in Hawaii in 2014

Service�Connected Disability Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
Has a service-connected disability rating (0-100%) 20.6 3.69 13,000 2,600 63,000 590
Disability rating of veterans with a service connected-disability
0 percent 4.6 4.22 600 560 13,000 130
10 or 20 percent 25.6 8.79 3,300 1,320 13,000 130
30 or 40 percent 18.4 7.80 2,400 1,120 13,000 130
50 or 60 percent 18.1 7.75 2,300 1,110 13,000 130
70 percent or higher 28.2 9.06 3,700 1,380 13,000 130
Rating not reported 5 4.39 600 580 13,000 130
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Health Insurance Coverage

Health Coverage: with Disability 92.5%
Health Coverage: without Disability 93.7%

Introduction

This section examines the health insurance coverage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in Hawaii, using data from the 2014 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2014, 92.5 percent of working-age people with disabilities in HI had some type of health insurance coverage.
  • In 2014, 93.7 percent of working-age people without disabilities in HI had some type of health insurance coverage.
  • The difference in the health insurance coverage rate between working-age people with and without disabilities was 1.2 percentage points.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest health insurance coverage rate was for people with "Self-Care Disability," 93.7 percent. The lowest health insurance coverage rate was for people with "Visual Disability," 89 percent.

Health Insurance Coverage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by disability status in Hawaii in 2014

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 93.7 0.87 704,900 18,530 752,300 7,273
Any Disability 92.5 3.14 62,800 7,620 67,900 706
Visual 89 9.01 10,400 3,160 11,700 105
Hearing 90.8 6.59 16,900 4,020 18,600 163
Ambulatory 93.6 4.20 30,700 5,390 32,900 347
Cognitive 92 4.95 26,700 5,030 29,000 290
Self-Care 93.7 6.81 11,500 3,330 12,300 112
Independent Living 93.4 4.95 22,800 4,650 24,400 230
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Type of Health Insurance Coverage

Coverage through Employer/Union: with Disability 45.1%
Coverage through Employer/Union: without Disability 70.4%

Introduction

This section examines the type of health insurance coverage for non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in Hawaii, using data from the 2014 American Community Survey (ACS). Note that people can report more than one type of insurance coverage. For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2014, 45.1 percent of working-age people with disabilities in HI reported health insurance coverage through a current or former employer or union (theirs or another family member).
  • In 2014, 70.4 percent of working-age people without disabilities in HI reported health insurance coverage through a current or former employer or union (theirs or another family member).
  • In 2014, 9 percent of working-age people with disabilities in HI reported purchasing health insurance coverage directly from an insurance company (by themselves or another family member).
  • In 2014, 17.3 percent of working-age people with disabilities in HI reported Medicare coverage and 35.1 percent reported Medicaid coverage (or other government-assistance plan for those with low incomes or a disability).

Type of Health Insurance Coverage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by disability status in Hawaii in 2014

Disability Status/ Insurance Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
Any Disability
Uninsured 7.5 3.14 5,100 2,210 67,900 706
Employer/Union 45.1 5.94 30,600 5,380 67,900 706
Purchased 9 3.42 6,100 2,430 67,900 706
Medicare 17.3 4.51 11,700 3,350 67,900 706
Medicaid 35.1 5.70 23,800 4,760 67,900 706
Military/VA 13.3 4.05 9,000 2,940 67,900 706
Indian Health Service 0 3.29 0 400 67,900 706
No Disability
Uninsured 6.3 0.87 47,400 6,660 752,300 7,273
Employer/Union 70.4 1.64 529,900 17,920 752,300 7,273
Purchased 9 1.03 67,600 7,890 752,300 7,273
Medicare 1.3 3.29 9,500 3,020 752,300 7,273
Medicaid 9.8 1.07 73,600 8,220 752,300 7,273
Military/VA 13.5 1.23 101,300 9,540 752,300 7,273
Indian Health Service 0 3.29 200 400 752,300 7,273
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Glossary

Actively Looking for Work

A person is defined as ACTIVELY looking for work if he or she reports looking for work during the last four weeks.

Ambulatory Disability

This disability type is based on the question (asked of persons ages 5 or older): Does this person have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs?

Base Population (Base Pop.)

The estimated number of individuals upon which the calculation is based. (For percentages, this is the denominator).

Cognitive Disability

This disability type is based on the question (asked of persons ages 5 or older): Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions?

Disability and Disability Types

The ACS definition of disability is based on six questions. A person is coded as having a disability if he or she or a proxy respondent answers affirmatively for one or more of these six categories.

  • Hearing Disability (asked of all ages): Is this person deaf or does he/she have serious difficulty hearing?
  • Visual Disability (asked of all ages): Is this person blind or does he/she have serious difficulty seeing even when wearing glasses?
  • Cognitive Disability (asked of persons ages 5 or older): Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions?
  • Ambulatory Disability (asked of persons ages 5 or older): Does this person have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs?
  • Self-care Disability (asked of persons ages 5 or older): Does this person have difficulty dressing or bathing?
  • Independent Living Disability (asked of persons ages 15 or older): Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have difficulty doing errands alone such as visiting a doctor’s office or shopping?

Earnings

Earnings are defined as wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, or tips from all jobs including self-employment income (NET income after business expenses) from own nonfarm businesses or farm businesses, including proprietorships and partnerships.

Education

Our definition is based on the responses to the question: "What is the highest degree or level of school this person has completed? If currently enrolled, mark the previous grade or highest degree received." Our category "high school diploma/equivalent" includes those marking the ACS option "Regular high school diploma — GED or alternative credential." Our category "Some college/Associate's degree" includes those marking the ACS options: some college credit, but less than 1 year of college credit; one or more years of college credit but no degree, or "Associate's degree (for example: AA, AS)." Our category "a Bachelor's or more" includes those marking the ACS options: "Bachelor's degree (for example: BA, BS)"; "Master's degree (for example: MA, MS, MEng, MEd, MSW, MBA)"; "Professional degree (for example: MD, DDS, DVM, LLB, JD)"; or "Doctorate degree (for example: PhD, EdD)." Note in 2008 changes were made to some of the response categories and the layout of this question.

Employment

A person is considered employed if he or she is either

  1. “at work”: those who did any work at all during the reference week as a paid employee (worked in his or her own business or profession, worked on his or her own farm, or worked 15 or more hours as an unpaid worker on a family farm or business) or
  2. “with a job but not at work”: had a job but temporarily did not work at that job during the reference week due to illness, bad weather, industrial dispute, vacation or other personal reasons. The reference week is defined as the week preceding the date the questionnaire was completed.

Employment Rate

The employment rate is calculated by dividing the number of persons employed by the number of persons in that population.

** Note that the unemployment rate cannot be calculated using the employment rate:

  • The employment rate is the percentage of all persons who have a job.
  • The unemployment rate is the percentage of persons in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for work. The labor force includes people who have a job, are on layoff, or who actively searched for work in the last four weeks.

Please see http://www.disabilitystatistics.org/faq.cfm#Q6 for more information on unemployment rate calculation and its implications.

Full-Time/Full-Year Employment

A person is considered employed full-time/full-year if he or she worked 35 hours or more per week (full-time) and 50 or more weeks per year (full-year). The reference period is defined as the year preceding the date the questionnaire was completed. Note: this does not signify whether a person is eligible for fringe benefits. The question and response categories regarding weeks worked per year was changed in 2008.

Group Quarters (GQ)

A GQ is a place where people live or stay that is normally owned or managed by an entity or organization providing housing and/or services for the residents. These services may include custodial or medical care as well as other types of assistance, and residency is commonly restricted to those receiving these services. People living in group quarters are usually not related to each other. Group quarters include such places as college residence halls, residential treatment centers, skilled nursing facilities, group homes, military barracks, correctional facilities, and workers' dormitories. See the definitions of institutional GQs and non-institutional GQs for more information. In addition, a description of the types of group quarters included in the 2008 ACS is located on the U.S. Census Bureau's Web site at www.census.gov/acs/www/Downloads/
2008_ACS_GQ_Definitions.pdf.

Health Insurance Coverage

Is based on the following question: Is this person CURRENTLY covered by any of the following types of health insurance or health coverage plans? Mark "Yes" or "No" for EACH type of coverage in items a – h.

  1. Insurance through a current or former employer or union (of this person or another family member)
  2. Insurance purchased directly from an insurance company (by this person or another family member)
  3. Medicare, for people 65 and older, or people with certain disabilities
  4. Medicaid, Medical Assistance, or any kind of government-assistance plan for those with low incomes or a disability
  5. VA (including those who have ever used or enrolled for VA health care)
  6. TRICARE or other military health care
  7. Indian Health Service
  8. Any other type of health insurance or health coverage plan – Specify (Note: “Other type” were recoded into one of the categories a-g by the Census Bureau)

Hearing Disability

This disability type is based on the question (asked of all ages): Is this person deaf or does he/she have serious difficulty hearing?

Hispanic or Latino Origin

People of Hispanic or Latino origin are those who classify themselves in a specific Hispanic or Latino category in response to the question, "Is this person Spanish/Hispanic/Latino?" Specifically, those of Hispanic or Latino origin are those who are Cuban; Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano; Puerto Rican; or other Spanish/Hispanic/Latino. Origin may be the heritage, nationality group, lineage, or country of birth of the person or the person's parents or ancestors before their arrival in the United States. People who identify their origin as Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino may be of any race.

Household Income

Household Income is defined as the total income of a household including: wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, or tips from all jobs; self-employment income (NET income after business expenses) from own non-farm or farm businesses, including proprietorships and partnerships; interest, dividends, net rental income, royalty income, or income from real estates and trusts; Social Security or Railroad Retirement; Supplemental Security Income; any public assistance or welfare payments from the state or local welfare office; retirement, survivor or disability pensions; and any other regularly received income (e.g., Veterans' payments, unemployment compensation, child support or alimony). Median household income is calculated with the household as the unit of analysis, using household weights without adjusting for household size.

Independent Living Disability

This disability type is based on the question (asked of persons ages 15 or older): Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have difficulty doing errands alone such as visiting a doctors office or shopping?

Institutional Group Quarters (GQs)

Includes facilities for people under formally authorized, supervised care or custody at the time of enumeration. Generally, restricted to the institution, under the care or supervision of trained staff, and classified as "patients" or "inmates." Includes: correctional, nursing, and in-patient hospice facilities, psychiatric hospitals, juvenile group homes and residential treatment centers.

Margin of Error (MOE)

Data, such as data from the American Community Survey, is based on a sample, and therefore statistics derived from this data are subject to sampling variability. The margin of error (MOE) is a measure of the degree of sampling variability. In a random sample, the degree of sampling variation is determined by the underlying variability of the phenomena being estimated (e.g., income) and the size of the sample (i.e., the number of survey participants used to calculate the statistic). The smaller the margin of error, the lower the sampling variability and the more "precise" the estimate. A margin of error is the difference between an estimate and its upper or lower confidence bounds. Confidence bounds are calculated by adding the MOE to the estimate (upper bound) and subtracting the MOE from the estimate (lower bound). All margins of error in this report are based on a 90 percent confidence level. This means that there is a 90% certainty that the actual value lies somewhere between the upper and lower confidence bounds.

Non-Institutional Group Quarters (GQs)

Includes facilities that are not classified as institutional group quarters; such as college/university housing, group homes intended for adults, residential treatment facilities for adults, workers' group living quarters and Job Corps centers and religious group quarters.

Not Working but Actively Looking for Work

A person is defined as not working but actively looking for work if he or she reports not being employed, but has been looking for work during the last four weeks.

Number

This term appears in the tables; it refers to estimated number of people in the category. (for percentages, this is the numerator).

Poverty

The poverty measure is computed based upon the standards defined in Directive 14 from the Office of Management and Budget. These standards use poverty thresholds created in 1982 and index these thresholds to 2008 dollars using poverty factors based upon the Consumer Price Index. They use the family as the income sharing unit and family income is the sum of total income from each family member living in the household. The poverty threshold depends upon the size of the family; the age of the householder; and the number of related children under the age of 18.

Race

Race categories are based on the question, "[w]hat is this person's race? Mark (X) one or more races to indicate what this person considers himself/herself to be." Responses include the following: White; Black or African-American; American Indian or Alaska Native (print name of enrolled or principal tribe); Asian Indian; Chinese; Filipino; Japanese; Korean; Vietnamese; Other Asian (Print Race); Native Hawaiian; Guamanian or Chamarro; Samoan; Other Pacific Islander (Print Race Below); Some other race (print race below). "Other race" also contains people who report more than one race.

Sample Size

The number of survey participants used to calculate the statistic.

Self-care Disability

This disability type is based on the question (asked of persons ages 5 or older): 17c. Does this person have difficulty dressing or bathing?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

A person is defined as receiving SSI payments if he or she reports receiving (SSI) income in the 12 months prior to the survey.

Note: The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) does not apply to Puerto Rico. SSI is a federal cash assistance program that provides monthly payments to low-income aged, blind, or disabled persons in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Veteran Service-Connected Disability

A disease or injury determined to have occurred in or to have been aggravated by military service. A disability is evaluated according to the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities in Title 38, CFR, and Part 4. Extent of disability is expressed as a percentage from 0% (for conditions that exist but are not disabling to a compensable degree) to 100%, in increments of 10%. This information was determined by the following two part question:

  1. Does this person have a VA service-connected disability rating?
    Yes (such as 0%, 10%, 20%, ... , 100%)
    No SKIP to question 28a
  2. What is this person’s service-connected disability rating?”
    Responses included: 0 percent; 10 or 20 percent; 30 or 40 percent; 50 or 60 percent; 70 percent or higher

Visual Disability

This disability type is based on the question:(asked of all ages): Is this person blind or does he/she have serious difficulty seeing even when wearing glasses?

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About the Disability Status Reports

The Cornell University Disability Status Reports is produced and funded by the Yang Tan Institute at the Cornell University ILR School. This effort originated as a product of the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Demographics and Statistics (StatsRRTC) funded to the Yang Tan Institute in the ILR School at Cornell University by the U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (grant No. H133B031111).

The contents of this report do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government (Edgar, 75.620 (b)).

 

Contact Us

K. Lisa Yang and Hock E. Tan
Institute on Employment and Disability
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York 14853
Phone: 607.255.7727
Email: disabilitystatistics@cornell.edu
Web: www.disabilitystatistics.org




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