2011 Disability Status Report: United States

Table of Contents

The 2011 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 estimates in the 2011 Disability Status Reports are based on American Community Survey (ACS) data � a US Census Bureau survey that has replaced the Decennial Census long form. See the ACS User Guide on www.disabilitystatistics.org for additional information on the ACS.

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.

Finally, the 2011 Disability Status Report estimates should not be compared to estimates from any reports based on ACS data collected prior to 2008. In 2008, the US Census Bureau made a number of significant changes to the ACS. These changes included an entirely new set of disability questions as described on the following page. For a summary of all changes to the ACS 2008 survey see the following Census Bureau document:

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

 

Suggested Citation

Erickson, W. Lee, C., & von Schrader, S. (2012). 2011 Disability Status Report: United States. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Yang Tan Institute (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

The disability questions used in the ACS are listed below. 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?

 

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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 2011 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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United States Summary

These statistics indicate the social and economic status of non-institutionalized people with disabilities in the United States, using data from the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS).

Age: In 2011, the prevalence of disability in the US was:

  • 12.1 percent for persons of all ages
  • 0.8 percent for persons ages 4 and under
  • 5.1 percent for persons ages 5 to 15
  • 5.6 percent for persons ages 16 to 20
  • 10.5 percent for persons ages 21 to 64
  • 25.6 percent for persons ages 65 to 74
  • 50.7 percent for persons ages 75+

Disability Type: In 2011, the prevalence of the six disability types among persons of all ages in the US was:

  • 2.2% reported a Visual Disability
  • 3.4% reported a Hearing Disability
  • 6.9% reported an Ambulatory Disability
  • 4.9% reported a Cognitive Disability
  • 2.7% reported a Self-Care Disability
  • 5.6% reported an Independent Living Disability

Gender: In 2011, 12.4 percent of females of all ages and 11.9 percent of males of all ages in the US reported a disability.

Hispanic/Latino: In 2011, the prevalence of disability among persons of all ages of Hispanic or Latino origin in the US was 8.3 percent.

Race: In the US in 2011, the prevalence of disability for working-age people (ages 21 to 64) was:

  • 10.3 percent among Whites
  • 14.2 percent among Black / African Americans
  • 4.1 percent among Asians
  • 18 percent among Native Americans
  • 9.5 percent among persons of some other race(s)

Employment: In 2011, the employment rate of working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in the US was 33.4 percent.

Looking for Work: In the US in 2011, the percentage actively looking for work among people with disabilities who were not working was 11.7 percent.

Full-Time/Full-Year Employment: In the US in 2011, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities working full-time/full-year was 20.7 percent.

Annual Earnings: In 2011, the median annual earnings of working-age people with disabilities working full-time/full-year in the US was $36,700.

Annual Household Income: In the US in 2011, the median annual income of households with working-age people with disabilities was $36,700.

Poverty: In the US in 2011, the poverty rate of working-age people with disabilities was 27.8 percent.

Supplemental Security Income: In 2011, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities receiving SSI payments in the US was 19.6 percent.

Educational Attainment: In 2011, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities in the US:

  • with only a high school diploma or equivalent was 34.5 percent
  • with only some college or an associate degree was 30.6 percent
  • with a bachelor's degree or more was 12.5 percent.

Veterans Service-Connected Disability: In 2011, the percentage of working-age civilian veterans with a VA determined Service-Connected Disability was 19.1 percent in the US.

Health Insurance Coverage: In 2011 in the US, 82.5 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 2011 American Community Survey (ACS). The US disability prevalence rate for this population was 10.5%

Location 2011 (%) Location 2011 (%)
Alabama 15.5 Montana 10.8
Alaska 10.6 Nebraska 8.8
Arizona 10.1 Nevada 10.3
Arkansas 15.5 New Hampshire 9.3
California 8.2 New Jersey 7.7
Colorado 8.8 New Mexico 11.8
Connecticut 8.3 New York 8.7
Delaware 10.5 North Carolina 11.9
District of Columbia 8.6 North Dakota 7.4
Florida 10.2 Ohio 12.1
Georgia 11.2 Oklahoma 15
Hawaii 7.3 Oregon 11.8
Idaho 11.2 Pennsylvania 11.4
Illinois 8.5 Puerto Rico 18.6
Indiana 11.9 Rhode Island 10.3
Iowa 9.4 South Carolina 13
Kansas 10.8 South Dakota 9.6
Kentucky 16.6 Tennessee 14.1
Louisiana 13.9 Texas 10.4
Maine 13.1 Utah 8.3
Maryland 8.5 Vermont 10.3
Massachusetts 9.3 Virginia 9.1
Michigan 12.7 Washington 10.8
Minnesota 7.9 West Virginia 17.8
Mississippi 15.6 Wisconsin 9.3
Missouri 12.8 Wyoming 9.9
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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 2011 American Community Survey (ACS). The employment rate in the US for this population was 33.4% for people with disabilities and 75.6% for people without disabilities.

Location People with Disabilities 2011 People without Disabilities 2011 Location People with Disabilities 2011 People without Disabilities 2011
Alabama 26.2 72.9 Montana 44.5 77.8
Alaska 47.3 79.6 Nebraska 45.5 84.5
Arizona 32.4 72.1 Nevada 36 73.1
Arkansas 30 74.7 New Hampshire 37.9 81.6
California 31.9 72.2 New Jersey 35.5 76.2
Colorado 42.6 78.4 New Mexico 35.3 71.7
Connecticut 38.5 79.1 New York 32.5 74.9
Delaware 35.7 76.4 North Carolina 30.7 74.9
District of Columbia 32.5 76.6 North Dakota 48.8 85.1
Florida 29.9 72.9 Ohio 33.2 76.5
Georgia 31 73.7 Oklahoma 35.8 77.1
Hawaii 40.6 77.1 Oregon 35 73.2
Idaho 38.1 76.1 Pennsylvania 33.6 77.2
Illinois 34.8 75.5 Puerto Rico 24.5 56.5
Indiana 34.5 77 Rhode Island 31.4 79.3
Iowa 41.6 82.7 South Carolina 28.1 73.3
Kansas 43.5 80.8 South Dakota 41 83.9
Kentucky 25.9 73.7 Tennessee 28.8 75
Louisiana 32.9 74.2 Texas 37.5 76.1
Maine 30.5 79.7 Utah 41.9 76.8
Maryland 36.9 79.8 Vermont 39.8 83.4
Massachusetts 32.2 79.4 Virginia 34.2 79.1
Michigan 29 72.4 Washington 35.8 75.8
Minnesota 47.7 81.8 West Virginia 24.4 70.8
Mississippi 29.2 72.5 Wisconsin 38 80.5
Missouri 33.1 78 Wyoming 46.2 81.5
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Prevalence

All Ages

Prevalence: All Ages 12.1%

Introduction

This section addresses the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people of all ages in the United States, using data from the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2011, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability of all ages in the US was 12.1 percent.
  • In other words, in 2011, 37,326,100 of the 307,593,600 individuals of all ages in the US reported one or more disabilities.
  • In the US in 2011, among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Ambulatory Disability," 6.9 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Visual Disability," 2.2 percent.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people of all ages in the United States in 2011*

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 12.1 0.05 37,326,100 159,490 307,593,600 3,028,981
Visual 2.2 0.02 6,636,900 70,920 307,593,600 3,028,981
Hearing 3.4 0.03 10,556,600 88,860 307,593,600 3,028,981
Ambulatory 6.9 0.04 19,937,600 120,200 287,572,700 2,856,240
Cognitive 4.9 0.04 14,144,300 102,240 287,572,700 2,856,240
Self-Care 2.7 0.03 7,697,500 76,240 287,572,700 2,856,240
Independent Living 5.6 0.04 13,733,900 100,820 246,478,000 2,479,592

* 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 0.8%

Introduction

This section focuses on the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized children ages 4 and under in the United States, using data from the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS). Only the two sensory disability questions were asked of this population. For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2011, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of children with a visual and/or hearing disability ages 0 to 4 in the US was 0.8 percent.
  • In other words, in 2011, 159,000 of the 20,020,800 children ages 0 to 4 in the US reported one or more disabilities.
  • In the US in 2011, 0.5 percent reported a visual disability
  • In the US in 2011, 0.6 percent reported a hearing disability

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 4 and under in the United States in 2011

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 0.8 3.29 159,000 11,090 20,020,800 172,741
Visual 0.5 3.29 92,200 8,450 20,020,800 172,741
Hearing 0.6 3.29 113,500 9,370 20,020,800 172,741
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Prevalence

Ages 5 to 15 years

Prevalence: Ages 5 to 15 years 5.1%

Introduction

This section focuses on the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized children ages 5 to 15 in the United States, using data from the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS)*. For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2011, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of children with a disability ages 5 to 15 in the US was 5.1 percent.
  • In other words, in 2011, 2,328,700 of the 45,269,500 individuals ages 5 to 15 in the US reported one or more disabilities.
  • In the US in 2011, among the five types of disabilities* identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Cognitive Disability," 3.9 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Hearing Disability," 0.6 percent.

Prevalence of disability* among non-institutionalized people ages 5 to 15 in the United States in 2011

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 5.1 0.09 2,328,700 42,300 45,269,500 416,302
Visual 0.8 3.29 353,100 16,530 45,269,500 416,302
Hearing 0.6 3.29 289,500 14,960 45,269,500 416,302
Ambulatory 0.6 3.29 282,900 14,790 45,269,500 416,302
Cognitive 3.9 0.08 1,783,800 37,060 45,269,500 416,302
Self-Care 1 3.29 438,600 18,410 45,269,500 416,302

* 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 5.6%

Introduction

This section focuses on the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 16 to 20 in the United States, using data from the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2011, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability ages 16 to 20 in the US was 5.6 percent.
  • In other words, in 2011, 1,245,200 of the 22,177,100 individuals ages 16 to 20 in the US reported one or more disabilities.
  • In the US in 2011, among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Cognitive Disability," 3.9 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Hearing Disability," 0.7 percent.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 16 to 20 in the United States in 2011

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 5.6 0.14 1,245,200 30,990 22,177,100 216,901
Visual 1 3.29 210,800 12,770 22,177,100 216,901
Hearing 0.7 3.29 152,200 10,850 22,177,100 216,901
Ambulatory 0.8 3.29 184,100 11,940 22,177,100 216,901
Cognitive 3.9 0.11 862,000 25,800 22,177,100 216,901
Self-Care 0.8 3.29 169,400 11,450 22,177,100 216,901
Independent Living 2 3.29 436,700 18,370 22,177,100 216,901
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Prevalence

Ages 21 to 64 years

Prevalence: Ages 21 to 64 years 10.5%

Introduction

This section focuses on the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) in the United States, using data from the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2011, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of working age people (ages 21 to 64) with a disability in the US was 10.5 percent.
  • In other words, in 2011, 18,858,600 of the 180,037,400 individuals ages 21 to 64 in the US reported one or more disabilities.
  • In the US in 2011, among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Ambulatory Disability," 5.5 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was "Visual Disability," 1.8 percent.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 21 to 64 in the United States in 2011

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 10.5 0.06 18,858,600 117,120 180,037,400 1,727,008
Visual 1.8 3.29 3,237,100 49,800 180,037,400 1,727,008
Hearing 2.2 0.03 3,935,200 54,850 180,037,400 1,727,008
Ambulatory 5.5 0.05 9,969,000 86,440 180,037,400 1,727,008
Cognitive 4.3 0.04 7,684,000 76,170 180,037,400 1,727,008
Self-Care 2 3.29 3,525,400 51,950 180,037,400 1,727,008
Independent Living 3.7 0.04 6,671,300 71,090 180,037,400 1,727,008
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Prevalence

Ages 65 to 74 years

Prevalence: Ages 65 to 74 years 25.6%

Introduction

This section explores the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 65 to 74 in the United States, using data from the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2011, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability ages 65 to 74 in the US was 25.6 percent.
  • In other words, in 2011, 5,698,400 of the 22,261,200 individuals ages 65 to 74 in the US reported one or more disabilities.
  • In the US in 2011, among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Ambulatory Disability," 16 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Visual Disability," 4.1 percent.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 65 to 74 in the United States in 2011

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 25.6 0.26 5,698,400 65,810 22,261,200 273,391
Visual 4.1 0.12 906,400 26,450 22,261,200 273,391
Hearing 9.1 0.17 2,024,400 39,460 22,261,200 273,391
Ambulatory 16 0.22 3,556,000 52,170 22,261,200 273,391
Cognitive 5.5 0.13 1,223,100 30,710 22,261,200 273,391
Self-Care 4.7 0.12 1,045,200 28,400 22,261,200 273,391
Independent Living 8.3 0.16 1,840,200 37,630 22,261,200 273,391
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Prevalence

Ages 75 and Older

Prevalence: Ages 75 and Older 50.7%

Introduction

This section focuses on the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 75 and older in the United States, using data from the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2011, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability ages 75 and older in the US was 50.7 percent.
  • In other words, in 2011, 9,036,200 of the 17,827,500 individuals ages 75 and older in the US reported one or more disabilities.
  • In the US in 2011, among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Ambulatory Disability," 33.4 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Visual Disability," 10.3 percent.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 75 and older in the United States in 2011

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 50.7 0.33 9,036,200 82,420 17,827,500 222,638
Visual 10.3 0.20 1,837,200 37,600 17,827,500 222,638
Hearing 22.7 0.28 4,041,700 55,580 17,827,500 222,638
Ambulatory 33.4 0.31 5,945,600 67,200 17,827,500 222,638
Cognitive 14.5 0.23 2,591,400 44,610 17,827,500 222,638
Self-Care 14.1 0.23 2,519,000 43,980 17,827,500 222,638
Independent Living 26.3 0.29 4,697,400 59,850 17,827,500 222,638
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Prevalence

Gender and Age

Prevalence: Males All Ages 11.9%
Prevalence: Female All Ages 12.4%

Introduction

This section examines the prevalence of disability among people by gender and age group in the United States, using data from the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS)*. For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In the US in 2011, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of males with a disability of all ages was 11.9 percent.
  • In other words, in 2011, 17,845,600 of the 150,504,500 males of all ages in the US reported one or more disabilities.
  • In the US in 2011, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of females with a disability of all ages was 12.4 percent.
  • In other words, in 2011, 19,480,500 of the 157,089,100 females of all ages in the US reported one or more disabilities.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people by gender and age group in the United States in 2011

Gender & Age Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Males
Males: All Ages 11.9 0.07 17,845,600 114,130 150,504,500 1,463,327
Males: Ages 4 and under 0.9 3.29 89,100 8,300 10,230,200 88,547
Males: Ages 5-15 6.4 0.14 1,489,500 33,880 23,145,300 213,302
Males: Ages 16-20 6.4 0.20 730,200 23,750 11,322,200 109,979
Males: Ages 21-64 10.6 0.09 9,369,700 83,880 88,309,300 833,579
Males: Ages 65-74 26.3 0.38 2,721,600 45,700 10,353,800 127,238
Males: Ages 75+ 48.2 0.52 3,445,500 51,360 7,143,700 90,682
Females
Females: All Ages 12.4 0.07 19,480,500 118,910 157,089,100 1,565,654
Females: Ages 4 and under 0.7 3.29 70,000 7,360 9,790,600 84,194
Females: Ages 5-15 3.8 0.11 839,200 25,460 22,124,300 203,000
Females: Ages 16-20 4.7 0.18 515,000 19,950 10,854,900 106,922
Females: Ages 21-64 10.3 0.09 9,488,800 84,400 91,728,100 893,429
Females: Ages 65-74 25 0.35 2,976,800 47,780 11,907,300 146,153
Females: Ages 75+ 52.3 0.43 5,590,700 65,200 10,683,800 131,956

* 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 8.3%
Prevalence: Non-Hispanic All Ages 12.9%

Introduction

This section examines the prevalence of disability among people by Hispanic/Latino origin and age group in the United States, using data from the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS)*. For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In the US in 2011, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of disability among people of Hispanic/Latino origin of all ages was 8.3 percent.
  • In other words, in 2011, 4,286,500 of the 51,349,600 people of Hispanic/Latino origin of all ages in the US reported one or more disabilities.
  • In the US in 2011, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of disability among people of non-Hispanic/Latino origin of all ages was 12.9 percent.
  • In other words, in 2011, 33,039,600 of the 256,244,000 people of non-Hispanic/Latino origin of all ages in the US 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 the United States in 2011

Hispanic/Latino Origin & Age Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Hispanic
Hispanic - All Ages 8.3 0.11 4,286,500 57,210 51,349,600 415,931
Hispanic - Ages 4 and under 0.9 3.29 48,200 6,110 5,141,000 38,279
Hispanic - Ages 5-15 4.8 0.18 502,800 19,710 10,423,200 84,330
Hispanic - Ages 16-20 5 0.28 231,300 13,380 4,668,100 38,500
Hispanic - Ages 21-64 8.2 0.14 2,303,300 42,070 28,234,700 224,062
Hispanic - Ages 65-74 30.9 0.98 534,700 20,330 1,728,500 18,094
Hispanic - Ages 75+ 57.7 1.28 666,200 22,690 1,154,100 12,666
Non-Hispanic
Non-Hispanic - All Ages 12.9 0.06 33,039,600 151,220 256,244,000 2,613,050
Non-Hispanic - Ages 4 and under 0.7 3.29 110,900 9,260 14,879,900 134,462
Non-Hispanic - Ages 5-15 5.2 0.11 1,825,900 37,490 34,846,400 331,972
Non-Hispanic - Ages 16-20 5.8 0.16 1,013,900 27,970 17,509,000 178,401
Non-Hispanic - Ages 21-64 10.9 0.07 16,555,300 110,170 151,802,700 1,502,946
Non-Hispanic - Ages 65-74 25.1 0.27 5,163,700 62,700 20,532,700 255,297
Non-Hispanic - Ages 75+ 50.2 0.34 8,369,900 79,410 16,673,400 209,972

* 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

Race

Introduction

This section presents the disability prevalence rate among non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by race category in the US, using data from the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

In 2011, among working-age people in the US:

  • 10.3 percent of persons who were White reported a disability.
  • 14.2 percent of persons who were Black/African American reported a disability.
  • 18 percent of persons who were Native American reported a disability.
  • 4.1 percent of persons who were Asian reported a disability.
  • 9.5 percent of persons who were some other race(s) reported a disability.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by race in the United States in 2011

Race Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
White 10.3 0.07 13,911,800 101,440 134,647,000 1,338,710
Black/African American 14.2 0.21 3,128,300 48,970 22,019,800 183,400
Native American or
Alaska Native		 18 0.90 252,200 13,970 1,404,000 18,941
Asian 4.1 0.18 397,800 17,540 9,655,900 87,366
Some other race(s) 9.5 0.23 1,168,600 30,020 12,310,700 98,591
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Employment

Employment: with disability 33.4%
Employment: without disability 75.6%

Introduction

This section examines the employment rates of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in the United States, using data from the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2011, the employment rate of working-age people with disabilities in the US was 33.4 percent.
  • In 2011, the employment rate of working-age people without disabilities in the US was 75.6 percent.
  • The gap between the employment rates of working-age people with and without disabilities was 42.2 percentage points.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest employment rate was for people with a "Hearing Disability," 49.4 percent. The lowest employment rate was for people with a "Independent Living Disability," 15.8 percent.

Employment of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by disability status in the United States in 2011

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 75.6 0.09 121,833,400 238,670 161,178,900 1,528,273
Any Disability 33.4 0.30 6,307,900 69,160 18,858,600 198,735
Visual 36.8 0.75 1,191,100 30,310 3,237,100 32,553
Hearing 49.4 0.70 1,943,500 38,670 3,935,200 41,460
Ambulatory 24.3 0.38 2,425,900 43,170 9,969,000 105,576
Cognitive 23 0.42 1,769,000 36,900 7,684,000 81,297
Self-Care 16.2 0.55 570,800 21,000 3,525,400 38,393
Independent Living 15.8 0.39 1,056,500 28,550 6,671,300 72,490
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Not Working but Actively Looking for Work

Actively Looking: with disability 11.7%
Actively Looking: without disability 29.4%

Introduction

This section focuses on the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in the United States who are not working but actively looking for work, using data from the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2011 in the US, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities who were not working but actively looking for work was 11.7 percent.
  • In 2011 in the US, the percentage of working-age people without disabilities who were not working but actively looking for work was 29.4 percent.
  • The difference in the percentage not working but actively looking for work between working-age people with and without disabilities was 17.7 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 "Hearing Disability," 14.8 percent. The lowest percentage was for people with a "Self-Care Disability," 5.1 percent.

Percentage who are not working but actively looking for work among non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) in the United States in 2011

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 29.4 0.20 11,549,800 92,790 39,345,400 375,816
Any Disability 11.7 0.25 1,472,800 33,690 12,550,700 134,128
Visual 13.3 0.66 272,900 14,530 2,046,000 20,971
Hearing 14.8 0.70 294,800 15,100 1,991,800 21,292
Ambulatory 8 0.27 602,400 21,570 7,543,000 81,062
Cognitive 11.4 0.36 673,000 22,800 5,915,000 63,249
Self-Care 5.1 0.36 151,100 10,810 2,954,600 32,451
Independent Living 6.2 0.28 348,900 16,430 5,614,800 61,284
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Full-Time / Full-Year Employment

FT / FY Employment: with disability 20.7%
FT / FY Employment: without disability 55.5%

Introduction

This section presents the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities working full-time/full-year in the United States, using data from the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2011, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities working full-time/full-year in the US was 20.7 percent.
  • In 2011, the percentage of working-age people without disabilities working full-time/full-year in the US was 55.5 percent.
  • The difference in the percentage working full-time/full-year between working-age people with and without disabilities was 34.8 percentage points.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest full-time/full-year employment rate was for people with "Hearing Disability," 34.8 percent. The lowest full-time/full-year employment rate was for people with "Independent Living Disability," 7.4 percent.

Full-Time/Full-Year employment of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by disability status in the United States in 2011

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 55.5 0.11 89,437,800 222,190 161,178,900 1,528,273
Any Disability 20.7 0.26 3,897,700 54,590 18,858,600 198,735
Visual 23.8 0.66 770,000 24,390 3,237,100 32,553
Hearing 34.8 0.67 1,369,600 32,490 3,935,200 41,460
Ambulatory 14.9 0.31 1,486,700 33,850 9,969,000 105,576
Cognitive 11 0.31 843,300 25,520 7,684,000 81,297
Self-Care 9.1 0.43 321,700 15,770 3,525,400 38,393
Independent Living 7.4 0.28 490,400 19,470 6,671,300 72,490
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Annual Earnings (Full-Time / Full-Year workers)

Earnings: with disability $36,700
Earnings: without disability $42,800

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 the United States, using data from the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2011, the median earnings of working-age people with disabilities who worked full-time/full-year in the US was $36,700.
  • In 2011, the median earnings of working-age people without disabilities who worked full-time/full-year in the US was $42,800.
  • The difference in the median earnings between working-age people with and without disabilities who worked full-time/full-year was $6,100.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest annual earnings was for people with "Hearing Disability," $40,700. The lowest annual earnings was for people with "Cognitive Disability," $30,500.

Median annual earnings of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) who work full-time/full-year by disability status in the United States in 2011

Disability Type Median Earnings MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability $42,800 $110 89,438,000 844,139
Any Disability $36,700 $450 3,898,000 39,706
Visual $33,200 $940 770,000 7,422
Hearing $40,700 $870 1,370,000 14,240
Ambulatory $35,600 $680 1,487,000 14,876
Cognitive $30,500 $860 843,000 8,370
Self-Care $36,700 $1,600 322,000 3,136
Independent Living $32,600 $1,180 490,000 4,902
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Annual Household Income

Household Income: with disability $36,700
Household Income: without disability $60,400

Introduction

This section illustrates the median annual income* of households that include any working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in the United States, using data from the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2011, the median income of households that include any working-age people with disabilities in the US was $36,700.
  • In 2011, the median income of households that do not include any working-age people with disabilities in the US was $60,400.
  • The difference in the median income between households including and not including working-age people with disabilities was $23,700.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest median income was for households including persons with a "Hearing Disability," $47,200. The lowest median income was for households containing persons with a "Cognitive Disability" $30,500.

* 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 the United States in 2011

Disability Type Median H.H. Income MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability $60,400 $220 80,052,000 789,714
Any Disability $36,700 380 14,978,000 163,596
Visual $32,600 780 2,749,000 28,886
Hearing $47,200 890 3,531,000 38,548
Ambulatory $32,600 450 8,429,000 92,510
Cognitive $30,500 520 6,042,000 65,917
Self-Care $32,000 750 2,959,000 32,798
Independent Living $31,800 560 5,393,000 60,862

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

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Poverty

Poverty: with disability 27.8%
Poverty: without disability 12.4%

Introduction

This section examines the poverty rates* of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in the United States, using data from the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2011, the poverty rate of working-age people with disabilities in the US was 27.8 percent.
  • In 2011, the poverty rate of working-age people without disabilities in the US was 12.4 percent.
  • The difference in the poverty rate between working-age people with and without disabilities was 15.4 percentage points.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest poverty rate was for people with "Cognitive Disability," 34.2 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 the United States in 2011

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 12.4 0.07 19,909,200 120,120 160,438,400 1,514,953
Any Disability 27.8 0.29 5,241,700 63,170 18,825,800 198,122
Visual 31 0.72 1,002,700 27,820 3,230,100 32,428
Hearing 20.6 0.57 807,700 24,970 3,927,600 41,321
Ambulatory 29.8 0.40 2,965,100 47,680 9,961,400 105,438
Cognitive 34.2 0.48 2,625,100 44,890 7,667,700 80,982
Self-Care 31.9 0.69 1,122,900 29,430 3,523,600 38,354
Independent Living 32.1 0.50 2,137,900 40,540 6,666,600 72,403

* 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 19.6%

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 the United States, using data from the 2011 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 2011, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities receiving Supplemental Security Income payments in the US was 19.6 percent.
  • In 2011, the number of working-age people with disabilities receiving Supplemental Security Income payments in the US was 3,693,300.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest percentage that received SSI was people with "Independent Living Disability," 30.2 percent. The lowest percentage that received SSI was people with "Hearing Disability," 12.1 percent.

Percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in the United States in 2011

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
Any Disability 19.6 0.25 3,693,300 53,160 18,858,600 198,735
Visual 18.7 0.60 604,700 21,620 3,237,100 32,553
Hearing 12.1 0.46 476,800 19,200 3,935,200 41,460
Ambulatory 21.6 0.36 2,150,100 40,660 9,969,000 105,576
Cognitive 27.9 0.45 2,143,500 40,600 7,684,000 81,297
Self-Care 28.6 0.67 1,007,100 27,880 3,525,400 38,393
Independent Living 30.2 0.49 2,012,100 39,340 6,671,300 72,490
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Education

High School Diploma/Equivalent

High School Only: with disability 34.5%
High School Only: without disability 25.9%

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 the United States, using data from the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2011, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities with only a high school diploma or equivalent in the US was 34.5 percent.
  • In 2011, the percentage of working-age people without disabilities with only a high school diploma or equivalent in the US was 25.9 percent.
  • The difference in the percentage with only a high school diploma or equivalent between working-age people with and without disabilities was 8.6 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," 36.4 percent. The lowest percentage with only a high school diploma or equivalent was for people with "Visual Disability," 32.8 percent.

Percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with only a high school diploma or equivalent by disability status in the US in 2011

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 25.9 0.10 41,703,900 167,230 161,178,900 1,528,273
Any Disability 34.5 0.30 6,507,200 70,230 18,858,600 198,735
Visual 32.8 0.73 1,061,600 28,620 3,237,100 32,553
Hearing 33 0.66 1,298,200 31,640 3,935,200 41,460
Ambulatory 34.6 0.42 3,447,300 51,380 9,969,000 105,576
Cognitive 35.9 0.48 2,756,200 45,990 7,684,000 81,297
Self-Care 34.3 0.70 1,210,100 30,550 3,525,400 38,393
Independent Living 36.4 0.52 2,425,600 43,170 6,671,300 72,490
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Education

Some College/Associate's Degree

Some College: with disability 30.6%
Some College: without disability 32.4%

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 the United States, using data from the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2011, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities with only some college or an Associate's degree in the US was 30.6 percent.
  • In 2011, the percentage of working-age people without disabilities with only some college or an Associate's degree in the US was 32.4 percent.
  • The difference in the percentage with only some college or an Associate's degree between working-age people with and without disabilities was 1.8 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 "Hearing Disability," 32.3 percent. The lowest percentage with only some college or Associate's degree was for people with "Independent Living Disability," 27.1 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 the United States in 2011

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 32.4 0.10 52,168,300 183,380 161,178,900 1,528,273
Any Disability 30.6 0.30 5,763,200 66,180 18,858,600 198,735
Visual 29 0.70 939,700 26,930 3,237,100 32,553
Hearing 32.3 0.66 1,269,300 31,280 3,935,200 41,460
Ambulatory 30.7 0.41 3,060,800 48,440 9,969,000 105,576
Cognitive 27.9 0.45 2,144,600 40,610 7,684,000 81,297
Self-Care 28.2 0.67 995,600 27,720 3,525,400 38,393
Independent Living 27.1 0.48 1,805,400 37,280 6,671,300 72,490
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Education

Bachelor's Degree or More

Bachelor's Degree or More: with disability 12.5%
Bachelor's Degree or More: without disability 31.2%

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 the United States, using data from the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2011, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities with a Bachelor's degree or more in the US was 12.5 percent.
  • In 2011, the percentage of working-age people without disabilities with a Bachelor's degree or more in the US was 31.2 percent.
  • The difference in the percentage with a Bachelor's degree or more between working-age people with and without disabilities was 18.7 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," 16 percent. The lowest percentage with a Bachelor's degree or more was for people with "Cognitive Disability," 9.2 percent.

Percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with a Bachelor's degree or more by disability status in the United States in 2011

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 31.2 0.10 50,249,400 180,640 161,178,900 1,528,273
Any Disability 12.5 0.21 2,356,000 42,550 18,858,600 198,735
Visual 11.6 0.50 374,400 17,020 3,237,100 32,553
Hearing 16 0.51 629,800 22,060 3,935,200 41,460
Ambulatory 11.1 0.28 1,106,800 29,220 9,969,000 105,576
Cognitive 9.2 0.29 707,200 23,370 7,684,000 81,297
Self-Care 10.8 0.46 382,200 17,190 3,525,400 38,393
Independent Living 9.6 0.32 641,300 22,260 6,671,300 72,490
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Veterans Service-Connected Disability Rating

Veterans with a Service-Connected Disability 19.1%

Introduction

This section presents the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age (ages 21 to 64) civilian veterans reporting a service-connected disability rating in the United States. 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 2011, there were 12,049,300 working-age civilian veterans in the US, of whom 2,298,900 had a VA service-connected disability.
  • In 2011, the percentage of working-age civilian veterans in the US with a VA service-connected disability was 19.1 percent.
  • In 2011, 521,500 working-age civilian veterans in the US had the most severe service-connected disability rating (70 percent or above).
  • In 2011, 22.7 percent of the working-age civilian veterans in the US 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 the United States in 2011

Service�Connected Disability Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
Has a service-connected disability rating (0-100%) 19.1 0.32 2,298,900 42,030 12,049,300 121,711
Disability rating of veterans with a service connected-disability
0 percent 5.9 0.43 135,100 10,230 2,298,900 23,776
10 or 20 percent 32.1 0.86 738,400 23,880 2,298,900 23,776
30 or 40 percent 20 0.73 458,700 18,830 2,298,900 23,776
50 or 60 percent 12.1 0.60 278,800 14,680 2,298,900 23,776
70 percent or higher 22.7 0.77 521,500 20,080 2,298,900 23,776
Rating not reported 7.2 0.47 166,400 11,350 2,298,900 23,776
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Health Insurance Coverage

Health Coverage: with Disability 82.5%
Health Coverage: without Disability 78.8%

Introduction

This section examines the health insurance coverage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in the United States, using data from the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2011, 82.5 percent of working-age people with disabilities in the US had some type of health insurance coverage.
  • In 2011, 78.8 percent of working-age people without disabilities in the US had some type of health insurance coverage.
  • The difference in the health insurance coverage rate between working-age people with and without disabilities was 3.7 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," 87.8 percent. The lowest health insurance coverage rate was for people with "Visual Disability," 77.1 percent.

Health Insurance Coverage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by disability status in the United States in 2011

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 78.8 0.09 126,998,300 241,350 161,178,900 1,528,273
Any Disability 82.5 0.24 15,555,000 106,970 18,858,600 198,735
Visual 77.1 0.65 2,496,600 43,790 3,237,100 32,553
Hearing 82.8 0.53 3,260,100 49,980 3,935,200 41,460
Ambulatory 84.6 0.32 8,435,500 79,710 9,969,000 105,576
Cognitive 83.4 0.37 6,411,100 69,720 7,684,000 81,297
Self-Care 87.8 0.49 3,094,800 48,710 3,525,400 38,393
Independent Living 87.1 0.36 5,810,200 66,440 6,671,300 72,490
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Type of Health Insurance Coverage

Coverage through Employer/Union: with Disability 34.4%
Coverage through Employer/Union: without Disability 63%

Introduction

This section examines the type of health insurance coverage for non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in the United States, using data from the 2011 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 2011, 34.4 percent of working-age people with disabilities in the US reported health insurance coverage through a current or former employer or union (theirs or another family member).
  • In 2011, 63 percent of working-age people without disabilities in the US reported health insurance coverage through a current or former employer or union (theirs or another family member).
  • In 2011, 8.7 percent of working-age people with disabilities in the US reported purchasing health insurance coverage directly from an insurance company (by themselves or another family member).
  • In 2011, 24.5 percent of working-age people with disabilities in the US reported Medicare coverage and 36.1 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 the United States in 2011

Disability Status/ Insurance Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
Any Disability
Uninsured 17.5 0.24 3,303,600 50,310 18,858,600 198,735
Employer/Union 34.4 0.30 6,492,400 70,160 18,858,600 198,735
Purchased 8.7 0.18 1,633,100 35,460 18,858,600 198,735
Medicare 24.5 0.28 4,621,800 59,370 18,858,600 198,735
Medicaid 36.1 0.31 6,813,300 71,830 18,858,600 198,735
Military/VA 7.5 0.17 1,408,200 32,940 18,858,600 198,735
Indian Health Service 0.7 3.29 124,000 9,800 18,858,600 198,735
No Disability
Uninsured 21.2 0.09 34,180,600 153,490 161,178,900 1,528,273
Employer/Union 63 0.11 101,526,700 230,200 161,178,900 1,528,273
Purchased 9.6 0.06 15,464,300 106,670 161,178,900 1,528,273
Medicare 1.4 3.29 2,213,600 41,250 161,178,900 1,528,273
Medicaid 7.3 0.06 11,762,700 93,610 161,178,900 1,528,273
Military/VA 3.5 0.04 5,565,800 65,050 161,178,900 1,528,273
Indian Health Service 0.4 3.29 633,400 22,120 161,178,900 1,528,273
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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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