2016 Disability Status Report: Massachusetts

Table of Contents

The 2016 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/people/disability/methodology/acs.html

 

Suggested Citation

Erickson, W. Lee, C., & von Schrader, S. (2023). 2016 Disability Status Report: Massachusetts. 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 NIDILRR.

Puerto Rico: A Puerto Rico Disability Status Report, based on the parallel 2016 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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Massachusetts Summary

These statistics indicate the social and economic status of non-institutionalized people with disabilities in Massachusetts, using data from the 2016 American Community Survey (ACS).

Age: In 2016, the prevalence of disability in MA was:

  • 11.6 percent for persons of all ages
  • 0.8 percent for persons ages 4 and under
  • 5.5 percent for persons ages 5 to 15
  • 6.5 percent for persons ages 16 to 20
  • 9.3 percent for persons ages 21 to 64
  • 20.8 percent for persons ages 65 to 74
  • 47.5 percent for persons ages 75+

Disability Type: In 2016, the prevalence of the six disability types among persons of all ages in MA was:

  • 1.9% reported a Visual Disability
  • 3.3% reported a Hearing Disability
  • 5.8% reported an Ambulatory Disability
  • 5.1% reported a Cognitive Disability
  • 2.4% reported a Self-Care Disability
  • 5.3% reported an Independent Living Disability

Gender: In 2016, 12 percent of females of all ages and 11.3 percent of males of all ages in MA reported a disability.

Hispanic/Latino: In 2016, the prevalence of disability among persons of all ages of Hispanic or Latino origin in MA was 12.6 percent.

Race: In MA in 2016, the prevalence of disability for working-age people (ages 21 to 64) was:

  • 9.4 percent among Whites
  • 11.2 percent among Black / African Americans
  • 4.3 percent among Asians
  • 14.1 percent among Native Americans
  • 10.2 percent among persons of some other race(s)

Employment: In 2016, the employment rate of working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in MA was 38.9 percent.

Looking for Work: In MA in 2016, the percentage actively looking for work among people with disabilities who were not working was 8.4 percent.

Full-Time/Full-Year Employment: In MA in 2016, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities working full-time/full-year was 22.2 percent.

Annual Earnings: In 2016, the median annual earnings of working-age people with disabilities working full-time/full-year in MA was $47,400.

Annual Household Income: In MA in 2016, the median annual income of households with working-age people with disabilities was $48,400.

Poverty: In MA in 2016, the poverty rate of working-age people with disabilities was 27.5 percent.

Supplemental Security Income: In 2016, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities receiving SSI payments in MA was 23.8 percent.

Educational Attainment: In 2016, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities in MA:

  • with only a high school diploma or equivalent was 33.5 percent
  • with only some college or an associate degree was 28.7 percent
  • with a bachelor's degree or more was 18.6 percent.

Veterans Service-Connected Disability: In 2016, the percentage of working-age civilian veterans with a VA determined Service-Connected Disability was 19.3 percent in MA.

Health Insurance Coverage: In 2016 in MA, 96.7 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 2016 American Community Survey (ACS). The US disability prevalence rate for this population was 10.9%

Location 2016 (%) Location 2016 (%)
Alabama 14.7 Montana 13
Alaska 12.3 Nebraska 10.2
Arizona 11.3 Nevada 11.4
Arkansas 15.6 New Hampshire 10.6
California 8.5 New Jersey 8
Colorado 9 New Mexico 13.3
Connecticut 8.7 New York 9.2
Delaware 9.8 North Carolina 12.3
District of Columbia 9.7 North Dakota 9
Florida 10.7 Ohio 12.3
Georgia 11.5 Oklahoma 15.1
Hawaii 8 Oregon 12.7
Idaho 12.2 Pennsylvania 12.2
Illinois 9 Puerto Rico 18.1
Indiana 12.4 Rhode Island 11.7
Iowa 10.1 South Carolina 13.3
Kansas 11.3 South Dakota 10
Kentucky 17 Tennessee 14.4
Louisiana 14.3 Texas 10.2
Maine 13.4 Utah 9.3
Maryland 9.1 Vermont 12
Massachusetts 9.3 Virginia 9.8
Michigan 13.1 Washington 11.3
Minnesota 8.9 West Virginia 18.5
Mississippi 15.1 Wisconsin 9.8
Missouri 13.2 Wyoming 12.4
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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 2016 American Community Survey (ACS). The employment rate in the US for this population was 36.2% for people with disabilities and 78.9% for people without disabilities.

Location People with Disabilities 2016 People without Disabilities 2016 Location People with Disabilities 2016 People without Disabilities 2016
Alabama 27.9 75.5 Montana 42.7 80.9
Alaska 49.4 77.6 Nebraska 49.8 85.7
Arizona 35.1 76.1 Nevada 42.6 77.6
Arkansas 32 77.6 New Hampshire 45.6 85.2
California 35 76.5 New Jersey 37.4 79.7
Colorado 42.8 81.5 New Mexico 31.6 73.9
Connecticut 39 81.4 New York 33 77.9
Delaware 36.2 79.2 North Carolina 35.2 78.3
District of Columbia 33.8 80.7 North Dakota 51.5 85.4
Florida 32.7 77.3 Ohio 35.7 80.2
Georgia 34.7 77.9 Oklahoma 36.5 77.7
Hawaii 40.5 81.2 Oregon 40.1 78.5
Idaho 42.9 77.9 Pennsylvania 35.2 80
Illinois 35.1 79.8 Puerto Rico 23.1 58.6
Indiana 36.9 81.2 Rhode Island 31.5 80.9
Iowa 45.8 84.3 South Carolina 33.4 78
Kansas 46 82.5 South Dakota 52 84.5
Kentucky 31 77.6 Tennessee 31.4 78.3
Louisiana 30.9 75.4 Texas 39.7 78.3
Maine 32.4 81.4 Utah 46.2 79.7
Maryland 42.2 82.5 Vermont 41.4 85
Massachusetts 38.9 82.3 Virginia 39.5 81.4
Michigan 33.6 78.3 Washington 39.2 79
Minnesota 48.7 85.5 West Virginia 27.9 72.6
Mississippi 29 74.8 Wisconsin 41.6 83.6
Missouri 34.2 81 Wyoming 47 80.6
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Prevalence

All Ages

Prevalence: All Ages 11.6%

Introduction

This section addresses the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people of all ages in Massachusetts, using data from the 2016 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2016, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability of all ages in MA was 11.6 percent.
  • In other words, in 2016, 784,000 of the 6,741,600 individuals of all ages in MA reported one or more disabilities.
  • In MA in 2016, among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Ambulatory Disability," 5.8 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Visual Disability," 1.9 percent.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people of all ages in Massachusetts in 2016*

xxx
Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 11.6 0.28 784,000 19,090 6,741,600 67,577
Visual 1.9 3.29 129,800 8,180 6,741,600 67,577
Hearing 3.3 0.16 220,700 10,590 6,741,600 67,577
Ambulatory 5.8 0.21 373,000 13,610 6,384,400 64,485
Cognitive 5.1 0.20 322,700 12,700 6,384,400 64,485
Self-Care 2.4 0.14 155,300 8,930 6,384,400 64,485
Independent Living 5.3 0.22 295,400 12,180 5,616,800 57,354

* 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 Massachusetts, using data from the 2016 American Community Survey (ACS). Only the two sensory disability questions were asked of this population. For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2016, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of children with a visual and/or hearing disability ages 0 to 4 in MA was 0.8 percent.
  • In other words, in 2016, 2,700 of the 357,300 children ages 0 to 4 in MA reported one or more disabilities.
  • In MA in 2016, 0.4 percent reported a visual disability
  • In MA in 2016, 0.6 percent reported a hearing disability

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 4 and under in Massachusetts in 2016

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 0.8 3.29 2,700 1,200 357,300 3,092
Visual 0.4 3.29 1,600 910 357,300 3,092
Hearing 0.6 3.29 2,100 1,050 357,300 3,092
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Prevalence

Ages 5 to 15 years

Prevalence: Ages 5 to 15 years 5.5%

Introduction

This section focuses on the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized children ages 5 to 15 in Massachusetts, using data from the 2016 American Community Survey (ACS)*. For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2016, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of children with a disability ages 5 to 15 in MA was 5.5 percent.
  • In other words, in 2016, 46,800 of the 846,500 individuals ages 5 to 15 in MA reported one or more disabilities.
  • In MA in 2016, among the five types of disabilities* identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Cognitive Disability," 4.4 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Hearing Disability," 0.5 percent.

Prevalence of disability* among non-institutionalized people ages 5 to 15 in Massachusetts in 2016

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 5.5 0.57 46,800 4,940 846,500 7,900
Visual 0.7 3.29 5,900 1,760 846,500 7,900
Hearing 0.5 3.29 4,100 1,460 846,500 7,900
Ambulatory 0.6 3.29 5,200 1,660 846,500 7,900
Cognitive 4.4 0.51 37,300 4,420 846,500 7,900
Self-Care 1.1 3.29 9,500 2,230 846,500 7,900

* 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 6.5%

Introduction

This section focuses on the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 16 to 20 in Massachusetts, using data from the 2016 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2016, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability ages 16 to 20 in MA was 6.5 percent.
  • In other words, in 2016, 32,000 of the 489,600 individuals ages 16 to 20 in MA reported one or more disabilities.
  • In MA in 2016, among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Cognitive Disability," 5.3 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Hearing Disability," 0.4 percent.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 16 to 20 in Massachusetts in 2016

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 6.5 0.81 32,000 4,090 489,600 5,316
Visual 0.9 3.29 4,200 1,480 489,600 5,316
Hearing 0.4 3.29 2,000 1,020 489,600 5,316
Ambulatory 0.7 3.29 3,400 1,340 489,600 5,316
Cognitive 5.3 0.73 25,900 3,680 489,600 5,316
Self-Care 0.9 3.29 4,200 1,490 489,600 5,316
Independent Living 2.5 0.51 12,200 2,530 489,600 5,316
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Prevalence

Ages 21 to 64 years

Prevalence: Ages 21 to 64 years 9.3%

Introduction

This section focuses on the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) in Massachusetts, using data from the 2016 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2016, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of working age people (ages 21 to 64) with a disability in MA was 9.3 percent.
  • In other words, in 2016, 371,800 of the 4,010,200 individuals ages 21 to 64 in MA reported one or more disabilities.
  • In MA in 2016, among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Cognitive Disability," 4.5 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was "Visual Disability," 1.6 percent.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 21 to 64 in Massachusetts in 2016

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 9.3 0.33 371,800 13,590 4,010,200 39,130
Visual 1.6 3.29 63,800 5,760 4,010,200 39,130
Hearing 1.8 3.29 70,900 6,070 4,010,200 39,130
Ambulatory 4.1 0.23 163,600 9,160 4,010,200 39,130
Cognitive 4.5 0.24 179,800 9,590 4,010,200 39,130
Self-Care 1.6 3.29 63,900 5,760 4,010,200 39,130
Independent Living 3.6 0.21 142,600 8,560 4,010,200 39,130
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Prevalence

Ages 65 to 74 years

Prevalence: Ages 65 to 74 years 20.8%

Introduction

This section explores the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 65 to 74 in Massachusetts, using data from the 2016 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2016, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability ages 65 to 74 in MA was 20.8 percent.
  • In other words, in 2016, 126,000 of the 606,900 individuals ages 65 to 74 in MA reported one or more disabilities.
  • In MA in 2016, among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Ambulatory Disability," 11.4 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Visual Disability," 3 percent.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 65 to 74 in Massachusetts in 2016

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 20.8 1.19 126,000 8,060 606,900 7,232
Visual 3 0.50 18,000 3,070 606,900 7,232
Hearing 8 0.80 48,400 5,020 606,900 7,232
Ambulatory 11.4 0.94 69,300 6,000 606,900 7,232
Cognitive 4.5 0.61 27,300 3,780 606,900 7,232
Self-Care 3.4 0.53 20,700 3,290 606,900 7,232
Independent Living 5.8 0.69 35,000 4,280 606,900 7,232
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Prevalence

Ages 75 and Older

Prevalence: Ages 75 and Older 47.5%

Introduction

This section focuses on the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 75 and older in Massachusetts, using data from the 2016 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2016, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability ages 75 and older in MA was 47.5 percent.
  • In other words, in 2016, 204,700 of the 431,200 individuals ages 75 and older in MA reported one or more disabilities.
  • In MA in 2016, among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Ambulatory Disability," 30.5 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Visual Disability," 8.4 percent.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 75 and older in Massachusetts in 2016

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 47.5 1.74 204,700 10,210 431,200 4,907
Visual 8.4 0.97 36,200 4,350 431,200 4,907
Hearing 21.6 1.44 93,200 6,950 431,200 4,907
Ambulatory 30.5 1.61 131,400 8,230 431,200 4,907
Cognitive 12.2 1.14 52,400 5,230 431,200 4,907
Self-Care 13.2 1.18 57,000 5,450 431,200 4,907
Independent Living 24 1.49 103,500 7,320 431,200 4,907
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Prevalence

Gender and Age

Prevalence: Males All Ages 11.3%
Prevalence: Female All Ages 12%

Introduction

This section examines the prevalence of disability among people by gender and age group in Massachusetts, using data from the 2016 American Community Survey (ACS)*. For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In MA in 2016, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of males with a disability of all ages was 11.3 percent.
  • In other words, in 2016, 368,100 of the 3,269,700 males of all ages in MA reported one or more disabilities.
  • In MA in 2016, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of females with a disability of all ages was 12 percent.
  • In other words, in 2016, 415,900 of the 3,472,000 females of all ages in MA reported one or more disabilities.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people by gender and age group in Massachusetts in 2016

Gender & Age Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Males
Males: All Ages 11.3 0.40 368,100 13,520 3,269,700 32,364
Males: Ages 4 and under 0.9 3.29 1,700 940 183,900 1,598
Males: Ages 5-15 7.2 0.89 31,300 4,040 436,800 4,038
Males: Ages 16-20 6.7 1.15 16,400 2,930 246,700 2,572
Males: Ages 21-64 9 0.47 176,400 9,500 1,950,400 18,783
Males: Ages 65-74 22.7 1.81 63,500 5,750 279,900 3,348
Males: Ages 75+ 45.8 2.75 78,800 6,400 171,900 2,025
Females
Females: All Ages 12 0.40 415,900 14,320 3,472,000 35,213
Females: Ages 4 and under 0.6 3.29 1,100 750 173,400 1,494
Females: Ages 5-15 3.8 0.68 15,500 2,850 409,700 3,862
Females: Ages 16-20 6.4 1.14 15,500 2,850 242,900 2,744
Females: Ages 21-64 9.5 0.47 195,400 9,980 2,059,800 20,347
Females: Ages 65-74 19.1 1.58 62,400 5,700 327,000 3,884
Females: Ages 75+ 48.6 2.25 125,900 8,060 259,300 2,882

* 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 12.6%
Prevalence: Non-Hispanic All Ages 11.5%

Introduction

This section examines the prevalence of disability among people by Hispanic/Latino origin and age group in Massachusetts, using data from the 2016 American Community Survey (ACS)*. For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In MA in 2016, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of disability among people of Hispanic/Latino origin of all ages was 12.6 percent.
  • In other words, in 2016, 97,300 of the 770,200 people of Hispanic/Latino origin of all ages in MA reported one or more disabilities.
  • In MA in 2016, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of disability among people of non-Hispanic/Latino origin of all ages was 11.5 percent.
  • In other words, in 2016, 686,800 of the 5,971,400 people of non-Hispanic/Latino origin of all ages in MA 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 Massachusetts in 2016

Hispanic/Latino Origin & Age Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Hispanic
Hispanic - All Ages 12.6 0.87 97,300 7,100 770,200 6,277
Hispanic - Ages 4 and under 0.9 3.29 600 580 71,000 486
Hispanic - Ages 5-15 8.9 1.69 13,100 2,620 148,000 1,180
Hispanic - Ages 16-20 10.8 2.63 7,900 2,030 73,100 715
Hispanic - Ages 21-64 12.5 1.15 54,200 5,310 435,400 3,464
Hispanic - Ages 65-74 39.7 6.70 11,100 2,410 28,000 288
Hispanic - Ages 75+ 70.4 8.65 10,300 2,320 14,600 144
Non-Hispanic
Non-Hispanic - All Ages 11.5 0.30 686,800 18,010 5,971,400 61,300
Non-Hispanic - Ages 4 and under 0.7 3.29 2,100 1,050 286,300 2,606
Non-Hispanic - Ages 5-15 4.8 0.59 33,700 4,200 698,500 6,720
Non-Hispanic - Ages 16-20 5.8 0.83 24,100 3,550 416,500 4,601
Non-Hispanic - Ages 21-64 8.9 0.34 317,600 12,610 3,574,700 35,666
Non-Hispanic - Ages 65-74 19.8 1.20 114,800 7,700 578,900 6,944
Non-Hispanic - Ages 75+ 46.7 1.77 194,400 9,960 416,600 4,763

* 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 MA, using data from the 2016 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

In 2016, among working-age people in MA:

  • 9.4 percent of persons who were White reported a disability.
  • 11.2 percent of persons who were Black/African American reported a disability.
  • 14.1 percent of persons who were Native American reported a disability.
  • 4.3 percent of persons who were Asian reported a disability.
  • 10.2 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 Massachusetts in 2016

Race Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
White 9.4 0.38 298,300 12,240 3,160,600 32,012
Black/African American 11.2 1.32 33,600 4,190 299,200 2,358
Native American or
Alaska Native		 14.1 8.42 1,300 820 9,000 88
Asian 4.3 0.88 12,100 2,520 280,300 2,603
Some other race(s) 10.2 1.36 26,600 3,730 261,100 2,069
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Employment

Employment: with disability 38.9%
Employment: without disability 82.3%

Introduction

This section examines the employment rates of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in Massachusetts, using data from the 2016 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2016, the employment rate of working-age people with disabilities in MA was 38.9 percent.
  • In 2016, the employment rate of working-age people without disabilities in MA was 82.3 percent.
  • The gap between the employment rates of working-age people with and without disabilities was 43.4 percentage points.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest employment rate was for people with a "Hearing Disability," 52.9 percent. The lowest employment rate was for people with a "Self-Care Disability," 14.5 percent.

Employment of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by disability status in Massachusetts in 2016

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 82.3 0.46 2,992,700 29,560 3,638,300 35,364
Any Disability 38.9 1.83 144,800 8,620 371,800 3,766
Visual 47.3 4.53 30,200 3,970 63,800 640
Hearing 52.9 4.29 37,500 4,430 70,900 689
Ambulatory 26.9 2.51 44,100 4,800 163,600 1,595
Cognitive 30 2.48 53,900 5,300 179,800 1,826
Self-Care 14.5 3.19 9,300 2,200 63,900 661
Independent Living 18.9 2.38 27,000 3,760 142,600 1,447
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Not Working but Actively Looking for Work

Actively Looking: with disability 8.4%
Actively Looking: without disability 20.9%

Introduction

This section focuses on the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in Massachusetts who are not working but actively looking for work, using data from the 2016 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2016 in MA, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities who were not working but actively looking for work was 8.4 percent.
  • In 2016 in MA, the percentage of working-age people without disabilities who were not working but actively looking for work was 20.9 percent.
  • The difference in the percentage not working but actively looking for work between working-age people with and without disabilities was 12.5 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," 14.7 percent. The lowest percentage was for people with a "Self-Care Disability," 3.6 percent.

Percentage who are not working but actively looking for work among non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) in Massachusetts in 2016

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 20.9 1.16 135,000 8,340 645,700 6,365
Any Disability 8.4 1.33 19,100 3,160 227,100 2,301
Visual 8.1 3.41 2,700 1,200 33,600 323
Hearing 14.7 4.44 4,900 1,600 33,400 324
Ambulatory 5.2 1.47 6,200 1,800 119,600 1,183
Cognitive 8.4 1.79 10,600 2,350 125,900 1,281
Self-Care 3.6 1.83 2,000 1,020 54,600 567
Independent Living 4.9 1.45 5,700 1,720 115,600 1,152
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Full-Time / Full-Year Employment

FT / FY Employment: with disability 22.2%
FT / FY Employment: without disability 60.4%

Introduction

This section presents the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities working full-time/full-year in Massachusetts, using data from the 2016 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2016, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities working full-time/full-year in MA was 22.2 percent.
  • In 2016, the percentage of working-age people without disabilities working full-time/full-year in MA was 60.4 percent.
  • The difference in the percentage working full-time/full-year between working-age people with and without disabilities was 38.2 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," 35.7 percent. The lowest full-time/full-year employment rate was for people with "Independent Living Disability," 7.9 percent.

Full-Time/Full-Year employment of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by disability status in Massachusetts in 2016

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 60.4 0.59 2,197,700 27,960 3,638,300 35,364
Any Disability 22.2 1.56 82,500 6,540 371,800 3,766
Visual 30.5 4.18 19,500 3,190 63,800 640
Hearing 35.7 4.12 25,300 3,640 70,900 689
Ambulatory 15.5 2.05 25,300 3,640 163,600 1,595
Cognitive 13.7 1.86 24,600 3,590 179,800 1,826
Self-Care 9 2.59 5,800 1,740 63,900 661
Independent Living 7.9 1.64 11,300 2,440 142,600 1,447
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Annual Earnings (Full-Time / Full-Year workers)

Earnings: with disability $47,400
Earnings: without disability $58,400

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 Massachusetts, using data from the 2016 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2016, the median earnings of working-age people with disabilities who worked full-time/full-year in MA was $47,400.
  • In 2016, the median earnings of working-age people without disabilities who worked full-time/full-year in MA was $58,400.
  • The difference in the median earnings between working-age people with and without disabilities who worked full-time/full-year was $11,000.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest annual earnings was for people with "Hearing Disability," $55,400. The lowest annual earnings was for people with "Cognitive Disability," $39,300.

Median annual earnings of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) who work full-time/full-year by disability status in Massachusetts in 2016

Disability Type Median Earnings MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability $58,400 $880 2,198,000 21,160
Any Disability $47,400 $3,790 82,000 823
Visual $44,300 $8,110 19,000 196
Hearing $55,400 $7,310 25,000 245
Ambulatory $45,300 $6,300 25,000 230
Cognitive $39,300 $6,300 25,000 251
Self-Care $46,300 $13,850 6,000 51
Independent Living $40,300 $10,000 11,000 117
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Annual Household Income

Household Income: with disability $48,400
Household Income: without disability $92,500

Introduction

This section illustrates the median annual income* of households that include any working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in Massachusetts, using data from the 2016 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2016, the median income of households that include any working-age people with disabilities in MA was $48,400.
  • In 2016, the median income of households that do not include any working-age people with disabilities in MA was $92,500.
  • The difference in the median income between households including and not including working-age people with disabilities was $44,100.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest median income was for households including persons with a "Hearing Disability," $67,700. The lowest median income was for households containing persons with a "Self-Care Disability" $32,700.

* 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 Massachusetts in 2016

Disability Type Median H.H. Income MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability $92,500 $1,860 1,766,000 17,706
Any Disability $48,400 3,620 296,000 2,994
Visual $46,900 9,530 55,000 552
Hearing $67,700 8,780 62,000 612
Ambulatory $38,900 4,530 140,000 1,381
Cognitive $37,700 4,890 140,000 1,411
Self-Care $32,700 6,820 54,000 538
Independent Living $37,200 5,020 116,000 1,166

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

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Poverty

Poverty: with disability 27.5%
Poverty: without disability 7.8%

Introduction

This section examines the poverty rates* of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in Massachusetts, using data from the 2016 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2016, the poverty rate of working-age people with disabilities in MA was 27.5 percent.
  • In 2016, the poverty rate of working-age people without disabilities in MA was 7.8 percent.
  • The difference in the poverty rate between working-age people with and without disabilities was 19.7 percentage points.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest poverty rate was for people with "Self-Care Disability," 39.1 percent. The lowest poverty rate was for people with "Hearing Disability," 21 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 Massachusetts in 2016

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 7.8 0.46 281,100 16,990 3,596,600 34,637
Any Disability 27.5 2.41 101,600 10,350 369,300 3,721
Visual 27.4 5.81 17,300 4,300 63,200 628
Hearing 21 5.01 14,900 3,990 70,700 686
Ambulatory 31.3 3.76 51,100 7,370 163,300 1,589
Cognitive 32.9 3.64 58,600 7,890 178,200 1,799
Self-Care 39.1 6.32 25,000 5,160 63,900 661
Independent Living 34.1 4.11 48,600 7,190 142,400 1,443

* 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 23.8%

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 Massachusetts, using data from the 2016 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 2016, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities receiving Supplemental Security Income payments in MA was 23.8 percent.
  • In 2016, the number of working-age people with disabilities receiving Supplemental Security Income payments in MA was 88,500.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest percentage that received SSI was people with "Independent Living Disability," 34.8 percent. The lowest percentage that received SSI was people with "Hearing Disability," 13.5 percent.

Percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in Massachusetts in 2016

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
Any Disability 23.8 1.60 88,500 6,770 371,800 3,766
Visual 22.1 3.76 14,100 2,720 63,800 640
Hearing 13.5 2.94 9,600 2,240 70,900 689
Ambulatory 27.9 2.54 45,600 4,880 163,600 1,595
Cognitive 31.6 2.51 56,700 5,430 179,800 1,826
Self-Care 34.4 4.31 22,000 3,390 63,900 661
Independent Living 34.8 2.89 49,600 5,090 142,600 1,447
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Education

High School Diploma/Equivalent

High School Only: with disability 33.5%
High School Only: without disability 21.4%

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 Massachusetts, using data from the 2016 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2016, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities with only a high school diploma or equivalent in MA was 33.5 percent.
  • In 2016, the percentage of working-age people without disabilities with only a high school diploma or equivalent in MA was 21.4 percent.
  • The difference in the percentage with only a high school diploma or equivalent between working-age people with and without disabilities was 12.1 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," 37.9 percent. The lowest percentage with only a high school diploma or equivalent was for people with "Visual Disability," 28.3 percent.

Percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with only a high school diploma or equivalent by disability status in MA in 2016

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 21.4 0.49 778,800 19,030 3,638,300 35,364
Any Disability 33.5 1.77 124,400 8,010 371,800 3,766
Visual 28.3 4.09 18,100 3,070 63,800 640
Hearing 34.8 4.10 24,700 3,590 70,900 689
Ambulatory 36.1 2.72 59,000 5,540 163,600 1,595
Cognitive 34.3 2.57 61,700 5,660 179,800 1,826
Self-Care 33.8 4.29 21,600 3,360 63,900 661
Independent Living 37.9 2.94 54,100 5,310 142,600 1,447
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Education

Some College/Associate's Degree

Some College: with disability 28.7%
Some College: without disability 25.1%

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 Massachusetts, using data from the 2016 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2016, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities with only some college or an Associate's degree in MA was 28.7 percent.
  • In 2016, the percentage of working-age people without disabilities with only some college or an Associate's degree in MA was 25.1 percent.
  • The difference in the percentage with only some college or an Associate's degree between working-age people with and without disabilities was -3.6 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," 27.7 percent. The lowest percentage with only some college or Associate's degree was for people with "Independent Living Disability," 25.5 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 Massachusetts in 2016

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 25.1 0.52 913,100 20,380 3,638,300 35,364
Any Disability 28.7 1.70 106,800 7,430 371,800 3,766
Visual 26.3 3.99 16,800 2,960 63,800 640
Hearing 27.7 3.85 19,600 3,210 70,900 689
Ambulatory 27.7 2.53 45,300 4,860 163,600 1,595
Cognitive 27.7 2.42 49,800 5,100 179,800 1,826
Self-Care 26.9 4.02 17,200 3,000 63,900 661
Independent Living 25.5 2.64 36,300 4,360 142,600 1,447
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Education

Bachelor's Degree or More

Bachelor's Degree or More: with disability 18.6%
Bachelor's Degree or More: without disability 47%

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 Massachusetts, using data from the 2016 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2016, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities with a Bachelor's degree or more in MA was 18.6 percent.
  • In 2016, the percentage of working-age people without disabilities with a Bachelor's degree or more in MA was 47 percent.
  • The difference in the percentage with a Bachelor's degree or more between working-age people with and without disabilities was 28.4 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," 24.3 percent. The lowest percentage with a Bachelor's degree or more was for people with "Independent Living Disability," 13.2 percent.

Percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with a Bachelor's degree or more by disability status in Massachusetts in 2016

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 47 0.60 1,709,500 25,930 3,638,300 35,364
Any Disability 18.6 1.46 69,100 5,990 371,800 3,766
Visual 23.1 3.82 14,700 2,780 63,800 640
Hearing 24.3 3.69 17,300 3,010 70,900 689
Ambulatory 15 2.02 24,500 3,580 163,600 1,595
Cognitive 14.5 1.90 26,000 3,690 179,800 1,826
Self-Care 15.4 3.27 9,800 2,270 63,900 661
Independent Living 13.2 2.05 18,800 3,130 142,600 1,447
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Veterans Service-Connected Disability Rating

Veterans with a Service-Connected Disability 19.3%

Introduction

This section presents the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age (ages 21 to 64) civilian veterans reporting a service-connected disability rating in Massachusetts. 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 2016, there were 128,900 working-age civilian veterans in MA, of whom 24,900 had a VA service-connected disability.
  • In 2016, the percentage of working-age civilian veterans in MA with a VA service-connected disability was 19.3 percent.
  • In 2016, 7,900 working-age civilian veterans in MA had the most severe service-connected disability rating (70 percent or above).
  • In 2016, 31.9 percent of the working-age civilian veterans in MA 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 Massachusetts in 2016

Service-Connected Disability Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
Has a service-connected disability rating (0-100%) 19.3 2.52 24,900 3,610 128,900 1,337
Disability rating of veterans with a service connected-disability
0 percent 4.4 2.98 1,100 760 24,900 260
10 or 20 percent 31.2 6.73 7,800 2,020 24,900 260
30 or 40 percent 14.3 5.08 3,600 1,370 24,900 260
50 or 60 percent 10.5 4.45 2,600 1,170 24,900 260
70 percent or higher 31.9 6.77 7,900 2,040 24,900 260
Rating not reported 7.7 3.87 1,900 1,000 24,900 260
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Health Insurance Coverage

Health Coverage: with Disability 96.7%
Health Coverage: without Disability 96.5%

Introduction

This section examines the health insurance coverage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in Massachusetts, using data from the 2016 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2016, 96.7 percent of working-age people with disabilities in MA had some type of health insurance coverage.
  • In 2016, 96.5 percent of working-age people without disabilities in MA had some type of health insurance coverage.
  • The difference in the health insurance coverage rate between working-age people with and without disabilities was 0.2 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," 98 percent. The lowest health insurance coverage rate was for people with "Hearing Disability," 95.3 percent.

Health Insurance Coverage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by disability status in Massachusetts in 2016

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 96.5 0.28 3,509,400 38,430 3,638,300 35,364
Any Disability 96.7 0.86 359,700 17,200 371,800 3,766
Visual 96.9 2.02 61,900 7,300 63,800 640
Hearing 95.3 2.34 67,600 7,620 70,900 689
Ambulatory 96.9 1.26 158,600 11,600 163,600 1,595
Cognitive 96.6 1.26 173,700 12,120 179,800 1,826
Self-Care 98 1.63 62,600 7,340 63,900 661
Independent Living 97.9 1.12 139,600 10,890 142,600 1,447
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Type of Health Insurance Coverage

Coverage through Employer/Union: with Disability 36.1%
Coverage through Employer/Union: without Disability 72%

Introduction

This section examines the type of health insurance coverage for non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in Massachusetts, using data from the 2016 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 2016, 36.1 percent of working-age people with disabilities in MA reported health insurance coverage through a current or former employer or union (theirs or another family member).
  • In 2016, 72 percent of working-age people without disabilities in MA reported health insurance coverage through a current or former employer or union (theirs or another family member).
  • In 2016, 9.7 percent of working-age people with disabilities in MA reported purchasing health insurance coverage directly from an insurance company (by themselves or another family member).
  • In 2016, 22.3 percent of working-age people with disabilities in MA reported Medicare coverage and 57.1 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 Massachusetts in 2016

Disability Status/ Insurance Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
Any Disability
Uninsured 3.3 0.86 12,100 3,240 371,800 3,766
Employer/Union 36.1 2.32 134,400 10,690 371,800 3,766
Purchased 9.7 1.43 35,900 5,570 371,800 3,766
Medicare 22.3 2.01 82,900 8,430 371,800 3,766
Medicaid 57.1 2.39 212,300 13,360 371,800 3,766
Military/VA 3.3 0.86 12,100 3,240 371,800 3,766
Indian Health Service 0.1 3.29 500 680 371,800 3,766
No Disability
Uninsured 3.5 0.28 128,900 10,480 3,638,300 35,364
Employer/Union 72 0.69 2,620,500 37,410 3,638,300 35,364
Purchased 10.5 0.47 383,200 17,720 3,638,300 35,364
Medicare 1.4 3.29 52,000 6,690 3,638,300 35,364
Medicaid 17.7 0.59 644,200 22,500 3,638,300 35,364
Military/VA 1.4 3.29 52,000 6,690 3,638,300 35,364
Indian Health Service 0.1 3.29 1,900 1,280 3,638,300 35,364
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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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