About the Center
Contact Information
Suggested Citation
Introduction
Summary
Comparisons
Prevalence
Employment
Full-Time / Full Year Employment
Annual Labor Earnings
Annual Household Income
Poverty Rate
Supplemental Security Income
Housing
Activity Limitation - Employment
Age Distribution
Race Distribution
Gender Distribution
Education Distribution
Prevalence Across States
Employment Across States
Prevalence Time Trends
Employment Time Trends
The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Demographics and Statistics (StatsRRTC) bridges the divide between the sources of disability data and the users of disability statistics. We conduct research exploring the reliability of existing data sources and collection methods, and study the potential to improve current and future data collection efforts.
The StatsRRTC is an interdisciplinary effort of three organizations at Cornell University: the Employment and Disability Institute, the Department of Policy Analysis and Management, and the Institute for Policy Research in Washington, DC. In addition, expertise is drawn from the following collaborating institutions: American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), Center for an Accessible Society, InfoUse, Institute for Matching Person and Technology, Mathematica Policy Research, Inc., and The Urban Institute.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
For more information about the Annual Disability Status Reports contact:This summary is being distributed by the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Demographics and Statistics at Cornell University.
Suggested Citation: Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Demographics and Statistics. (2005). 2004 Disability Status Reports. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University.
The StatsRRTC is funded to Cornell University by the U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (No. H133B031111). The contents of this paper 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)).
The Co-Principal Investigators are:
Susanne M. Bruyere: Director, Employment and Disability Institute, School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Extension Division, Cornell University
Richard V. Burkhauser: Sarah Gibson Blanding Professor, Department of Policy Analysis and Management, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University
Andrew J. Houtenville: Senior Research Associate, Employment and Disability Institute, School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Extension Division, Cornell University
David C. Stapleton: Director, Cornell University Institute for Policy Research
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 working-age (ages 21-64) population with disabilities. They contain information on the population size, prevalence, employment, earnings, poverty, household income, home ownership, and activity limitations of working-age people with disabilities, as well as the composition of this population by age, race, gender, and educational attainment. Comparisons are made to working-age people without disabilities, across types of disabilities, and to the previous year. Additional statistics by state are available at www.DisabilityStatistics.org.
The Status Reports look at the working-age population (21-64) because the employment gap between people with and without disabilities is a major focus of government programming and advocacy efforts. Furthermore, employment is a key factor in the social integration and economic self-sufficiency of working-age people with disabilities. Future Status Reports will address the school- and retirement-age populations and eventually expand to education and health-related issues.
The estimates in the 2004 Status Reports are based on American Community Survey (ACS) data-a survey of the U.S. Census Bureau designed to replace the decennial census long form. In future years, we hope to add information derived from other data sources, such as the Current Population Survey (CPS) and National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). See ACS User Guide on our web site, www.DisabilityStatistics.org for additional disability-related information in the ACS. A Census Bureau report, www.census.gov/prod/2004pubs/p60-226.pdf, provides a broader discussion of the ACS.
The estimates in these reports are based on responses from a sample of the population and may differ from actual values because of sampling variability or other factors. As a result, apparent differences between the estimates for two or more groups may not be statistically significant. Asterisks (*) indicate whether increases and decreases are statistically significant at the 90-percent confidence level.
Back to TopThis is a summary of the statistics that appear on the 2004 Disability Status Reports. The statistics indicate the social and economic status of working-age people (ages 21-64) with disabilities, using data from the 2003 and 2004 American Community Surveys (ACS). State-level Status Reports and more information about the ACS are available at www.DisabilityStatistics.org. Asterisks (*) indicate that increases and decreases are statistically significant at the 90-percent confidence level.
Prevalence: The percentage of working age individuals reporting a disability increased from 12 percent in 2003 to 12.1 percent in 2004, in the US.
Employment: The employment rate of working age people with disabilities decreased from 37.9 percent in 2003 to 37.5 percent in 2004, in the US.
Full-Time/Full-Year Employment: The percentage of working age people with disabilities working full-time/ full-year decreased* from 23 percent in 2003 to 22.4 percent in 2004, in the US.
Annual Labor Earnings: The median annual labor earnings of working age people with disabilities working full-time/full-year was unchanged from $30000 in 2003 to $30000 in 2004, in the US.
Household Annual Income: The median household annual income of working age people with disabilities increased from $34200 in 2003 to $34300 in 2004, in the US.
Poverty: The poverty rate of working age people with disabilities increased* from 23.3 percent in 2003 to 24.1 percent in 2004, in the US.
Supplemental Security Income: The percentage of working-age people with disabilities receiving SSI payments decreased from 15.4 percent in 2003 to 15.5 percent in 2004, in the US.
Housing: The percentage of people with disabilities living in owner occupied housing decreased from 63.7 percent in 2003 to 63.4 percent in 2004, in the US.
Activity Limitation-Employment: The percentage of working-age people with sensory, physical and/or mental disabilities that report an employment disability (difficulty working at a job or business) increased* from 53.2 percent in 2003 to 54.2 percent in 2004, in the US.
Age Distribution: Among people with disabilities, the percentage ages 21-29 increased* from 10.3 percent in 2003 to 10.6 percent in 2004, in the US.
Race Distribution: Among people with disabilities, the percentage non-white increased* from 25.4 percent in 2003 to 25.8 percent in 2004, in the US.
Gender Distribution: Among people with disabilities, the percentage that are women increased from 51.2 percent in 2003 to 51.6 percent in 2004, in the US.
Education Distribution: Among people with disabilities, the percentage with a Bachelor's degree or more increased from 12.5 percent in 2003 to 12.7 percent in 2004, in the US.
Prevalence Across States: Arkansas experienced the largest percentage point increase in the prevalence of disability among its working-age population - from 17.5 percent to 19.9 percent between 2003 and 2004.
Employment Across States: Vermont experienced the largest percentage point increase the employment rate of working-age people with disabilities - from 46.9 percent to 50.8 percent between 2003 and 2004.
Prevalence Trend: The percentage of working age people with sensory, physical, mental, and/or self-care disabilities increased* from 10.6 percent in 2001 to 10.9 percent in 2004, in the US.
Employment Trend: The employment rate of working-age people with sensory, physical, mental, and/or self-care disabilities decreased* from 40.8 percent in 2001 to 38.3 percent in 2004, in the US.
Back to TopThis is a summary of the comparative statistics that appear on the individual 2004 Disability Status Reports. The statistics indicate the social and economic status of working-age people (ages 21-64) with disabilities, using data from the 2003 and 2004 American Community Surveys (ACS). State-level Status Reports and more information about the ACS are available at www.DisabilityStatistics.org. Asterisks (*) indicate that the terms "increased" and "decreased" reflect significant changes at the 90-percent confidence level.
Employment: The gap between the employment rates of working-age people with and without disabilities increased* from 39.7 percentage points in 2003 to 40.3 percentage points in 2004, in the US.
Full-Time/Full-Year Employment: The difference in the percentage working full-time/full-year between working age people with and without disabilities increased from 33.5 percentage points in 2003 to 33.8 percentage points in 2004, in the US.
Annual Labor Earnings: The difference in the median labor earnings between working age people with and without disabilities who worked full-time/full-year was unchanged from $5000 in 2003 to $5000 in 2004, in the US.
Annual Household Income: The difference in the median household income between working age people with and without disabilities increased* from $24200 in 2003 to $25700 in 2004, in the US.
Poverty: The difference in the poverty rate between working age people with and without disabilities increased* from 14.4 percentage points in 2003 to 15 percentage points in 2004, in the US.
Housing: The difference in the percentage living in owner occupied housing between working age people with and without disabilities increased from 5.7 percentage points in 2003 to 6.5 percentage points in 2004, in the US.
Employment Across States: The largest decline in the gap between the employment rates of working-age people with and without disabilities was in Rhode Island - from 45 percentage points in 2003 to 40.4 percentage points in 2004.
Employment Trend: The gap between the employment rates of working-age people with and without sensory, physical, mental, and/or self-care disabilities increased* from 37.3 percentage points in Year0 to 38.9 percentage points in 2004, in the US.
Back to Top[Chart 1] This chart shows the estimated overall disability prevalence rate for working age people. The disability prevalence rate for 2003:12%, in 2004: 12.1%.[End Chart 1]
[Chart 2] This chart shows the estimated disability prevalence rate among working age people, by disability type and year. The chart contains seven pairs of columns. The estimated prevalence rates for working age people are: Overall disability 2003: 12%, 2004: 12.1%; Sensory disability 2003: 2.8%, 2004: 2.8%; Physical disability 2003: 7.5%, 2004: 7.6%; Mental disability 2003: 4%, 2004: 4.2%; Self-care disability 2003: 2%, 2004: 2%; Go-outside-home disability 2003: 2.9%, 2004: 3%; Employment disability 2003: 6.9%, 2004: 7%.[End Chart 2]
Definition of Disability: The 2003 and 2004 ACS definition is based on three questions: (1) Does this person have any of the following long-lasting conditions: (a) blindness, deafness, or a severe vision or hearing impairment? and (b) a condition that substantially limits one or more basic physical activities such as walking, climbing stairs, reaching, lifting, or carrying? (2) Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition lasting 6 months or more, does this person have any difficulty in doing any of the following activities: (a) learning, remembering, or concentrating? and (b) dressing, bathing, or getting around inside the home? (3) Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition lasting 6 months or more, does this person have any difficulty in doing any of the following activities: (a) going outside the home alone to shop or visit a doctor's office? (b) working at a job or business?
Back to TopThis Status Report addresses the employment rates of working-age people (ages 21-64) with disabilities in the United States, using data from the 2003 and 2004 American Community Surveys (ACS). State-level Status Reports and more information about the ACS are available at www.DisabilityStatistics.org.
[Chart 1] This chart shows the estimated employment rates for working age people with and without disabilities for 2003 and 2004. The chart contains two pairs of columns. The estimated employment rates for persons with disabilities: 2003: 37.9%, 2004: 37.5%. The estimated employment rates for persons without disabilities: 2003: 77.6%, 2004: 77.8%. [End Chart 1]
[Chart 2] This chart shows the estimated employment rate among working age people by disability type and year. The chart contains seven pairs of columns. The estimated employment rates for working age people in the Overall disability category: 2003: 37.9%, 2004: 37.5%; Sensory disability 2003: 47.8%, 2004: 47.3%; Physical disability 2003: 32.2%, 2004: 31.8%; Mental disability 2003: 28.2%, 2004: 28.5%; Self-care disability 2003: 17.6%, 2004: 17.6%; Go-outside-home disability 2003: 17.4%, 2004: 16.7%; Employment disability 2003: 18.1%, 2004: 17.3%.[End Chart 2]
Definition of Employment: A person is considered employed if he or she (a) worked 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 (b) had a job but temporarily did not work at that job during the reference period due to illness, bad weather, industrial dispute, vacation or other personal reasons. The reference period is defined as the week preceding the date the questionnaire was completed.
Back to TopThis Status Report addresses the percentage of working-age people (ages 21-64) with disabilities working full-time/full-year in the United States, using data from the 2003 and 2004 American Community Surveys (ACS). State-level Status Reports and more information about the ACS are available at www.DisabilityStatistics.org.
[Chart 1] This chart shows the estimated fulltime/full year employment rates for working age people with and without disabilities for 2003and 2004. It contains two pairs of columns. The estimated fulltime/full year employment rate for working age persons with disabilities: 2003: 23%, 2004: 22.4%. The estimated fulltime/full year employment rate for working age persons without disabilities: 2003: 56.4%, 2004: 56.2%, [End Chart 1]
[Chart 2] This chart shows the estimated full time, full year employment rate among working age people by disability type and year. The chart contains seven pairs of columns. The estimated full time, full year employment rates for working age people in the Overall disability category 2003: 23%, 2004: 22.4%; Sensory disability 2003: 32.4%, 2004: 31.2%; Physical disability 2003: 19%, 2004: 18.8%; Mental disability 2003: 14.3%, 2004: 14.2%; Self-care disability 2003: 8.9%, 2004: 9.5%; Go-outside-home disability 2003: 8.4%, 2004: 8.3%; Employment disability 2003: 8.5%, 2004: 8%.[End Chart 2]
Definition of 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.
Back to TopThis Status Report addresses the median annual labor earnings of working-age people (ages 21-64) with disabilities who work full-time/full-year in the United States, using data from the 2003 and 2004 American Community Surveys (ACS). State-level Status Reports and more information about the ACS are available at www.DisabilityStatistics.org. These dollar values are not inflation adjusted.
[Chart 1] This chart shows the estimated median annual labor earnings for working age people who worked full-time/full-year for those with and without disabilities for 2003 and 2004. It contains two pairs of columns The estimated median annual labor earnings for working age people with disabilities who worked full-time/full-year: 2003: $30 thousand dollars, 2004: 30 thousand dollars. The estimated median annual labor earnings for working age people without disabilities who worked full-time/full-year: 2003: $35 thousand dollars, 2004: $35 thousand dollars [End Chart 1]
[Chart 2] This chart shows the median annual labor earnings for working age people who worked full time, full year, by disability type and year. It contains seven pairs of columns. The estimated median annual labor earnings for working age people who worked full time, full year in the Overall disability category: 2003: $30 thousand dollars, 2004: 30 thousand dollars; Sensory disability 2003: $30 thousand dollars, 2004: 31 thousand dollars; Physical disability 2003: $30 thousand dollars, 2004: $30 thousand dollars; Mental disability 2003: $25.6 thousand dollars, 2004: $26.4 thousand dollars; Self-care disability 2003: $29.5 thousand dollars, 2004: $30 thousand dollars; Go-outside-home disability 2003: $28 thousand dollars, 2004: $29 thousand dollars; Employment disability 2003: $27 thousand dollars, 2004: $28.5 thousand dollars. [End Chart 2]
Definition of Earnings: Earnings are defined as wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, or tips from all jobs; not including self-employment income from own non-farm businesses or farm businesses.
Definition of 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.
Back to TopThis Status Report addresses the median annual household income of working-age people (ages 21-64) with disabilities in the United States, using data from the 2003 and 2004 American Community Surveys (ACS). State-level Status Reports and more information about the ACS are available at www.DisabilityStatistics.org. These dollar values are not adjusted for inflation.
[Chart 1] This chart shows the median annual household income for working age people with and without disability for 2003 and 2004. It contains two pairs of columns. The estimated median annual household income for working age people with disabilities: 2003: $34.2 thousand dollars, 2004: $34.3 thousand dollars. The estimated median annual household income for working age people without disabilities: 2003: $58.4 thousand dollars, 2004: $60 thousand dollars [End Chart 1]
[Chart 2] This chart shows the estimated median annual household income for working age people by disability type and year. It contains seven pairs of columns. The estimated median annual household income for working age people in the Overall disability category : 2003: $34.2 thousand dollars, 2004: $34.3 thousand dollars; Sensory disability 2003: $37.2 thousand dollars, 2004: $36.1 thousand dollars; Physical disability 2003: $32 thousand dollars, 2004: $32.5 thousand dollars; Mental disability 2003: $27.8 thousand dollars, 2004: $28.2 thousand dollars; Self-care disability 2003: $28.3 thousand dollars, 2004: $29.2 thousand dollars; Go-outside-home disability 2003: $29 thousand dollars, 2004: $29 thousand dollars; Employment disability 2003: $28.1 thousand dollars, 2004: $28.4 thousand dollars. [End Chart 2]
Definition of Income: Income is defined as wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, or tips from all jobs; self-employment income from own non-farm businesses, including proprietorships and partnerships; interest, dividends, net rental income, royalty income, or income from real estate or 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).
Back to TopThis Status Report addresses the poverty rates of working-age people (ages 21-64) with disabilities in the United States, using data from the 2003 and 2004 American Community Surveys (ACS). State-level Status Reports and more information about the ACS are available at www.DisabilityStatistics.org.
[Chart 1] This chart shows the estimated poverty rates for working age people with and without disabilities for 2003 and 2004. The chart contains two pairs of columns. The estimated poverty rates for working age people with disabilities: 2003: 23.3%, 2004:24.1%. The estimated poverty rates for working age people without disabilities: 2003: 8.9%, 2004: 9.1%. [End Chart 1]
[Chart 2] This chart shows the estimated poverty rate among working age people by disability type and year. The chart contains seven pairs of columns. The estimated poverty rates for working age people in the Overall disability category 2003: 23.3%, 2004: 24.1%; Sensory disability 2003: 20.5%, 2004: 21.7%; Physical disability 2003: 24.4%, 2004: 24.8%; Mental disability 2003: 30.1%, 2004: 30.3%; Self-care disability 2003: 28.3%, 2004: 28.4%; Go-outside-home disability 2003: 29.1%, 2004: 29.4%; Employment disability 2003: 28.8%, 2004: 29.6%.[End Chart 2]
Definition of 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 2003 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.
Back to TopThis Status Report addresses the percentage of working-age people (ages 21-64) with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in the United States, using data from the 2003 and 2004 American Community Surveys (ACS). State-level Status Reports and more information about the ACS are available at www.DisabilityStatistics.org.
Please note, these results will differ from official Social Security Administration reports for several reasons. For additional information, please email DisabilityStatistics@cornell.edu.
[Chart 1] This chart shows the estimated percentage of working age people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for those with disabilities for 2003 and 2004. The chart contains one pair of columns. The estimated percentage of working age people with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income: 2003: 15.5%, 2004: 15.4%. [End Chart 1]
[Chart 2] This chart shows the estimated percentage receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments among working age people by disability type and year. The chart contains seven pairs of columns. The estimated percentage receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments among working age people in the Overall disability category 2003: 15.5%, 2004: 15.4%; Sensory disability 2003: 13.2%, 2004: 12.6%; Physical disability 2003: 16.4%, 2004: 16.2%; Mental disability 2003: 24.6%, 2004: 23.6%; Self-care disability 2003: 24.7%, 2004: 23.2%; Go-outside-home disability 2003: 27.2%, 2004: 26.2%; Employment disability 2003: 22.8%, 2004: 22.4%.[End Chart 2]
Definition of Receipt of SSI Payments: A person is defined as receiving SSI payments if he or she reports receiving SSI income in the 12 months prior to the survey.
Back to TopThis Status Report addresses the percentage of working-age people (ages 21-64) with disabilities in owner occupied housing in the United States, using data from the 2003 and 2004 American Community Surveys (ACS). State-level Status Reports and more information about the ACS are available at www.DisabilityStatistics.org.
[Chart 1] This chart shows the estimated percentage of working age people in owner occupied housing for those with and without disabilities for 2003 and 2004. The chart contains two pairs of columns. The estimated percentage of working age people with disabilities in owner occupied housing: 2003: 63.7%, 2004: 63.4%. The estimated percentage of working age people without disabilities in owner occupied housing: 2003: 69.5%, 2004: 69.9%. [End Chart 1]
[Chart 2] This chart shows the estimated percentage in owner occupied housing among working age people by disability type and year. The chart contains seven pairs of columns. The estimated percentage among working age people in owner occupied housing of working age people in the Overall disability category 2003: 63.7%, 2004: 63.4%; Sensory disability 2003: 65.9%, 2004: 64.9%; Physical disability 2003: 64.3%, 2004: 64.5%; Mental disability 2003: 57.6%, 2004: 57.9%; Self-care disability 2003: 62.4%, 2004: 64.1%; Go-outside-home disability 2003: 60.8%, 2004: 61.7%; Employment disability 2003: 62%, 2004: 62.1%.[End Chart 2]
Back to TopThis Status Report addresses employment disability (difficulty working at a job or business) among working-age people (ages 21-64) with sensory, physical and/or mental disabilities in the United States, using data from the 2003 and 2004 American Community Surveys (ACS). State-level Status Reports and more information about the ACS are available at www.DisabilityStatistics.org.
[Chart 1] This chart shows the estimated percentage of working age persons with sensory, physical and/or mental disabilities that report an employment disability for 2003 and 2004. The chart contains two pairs of columns. The estimated percentage of working age people with sensory, physical and/or mental disabilities that report an employment disability: 2003: 53.2%, 2004: 54.2%. [End Chart 1]
[Chart 2] This chart shows the estimated percentage of working age people with a Sensory disability, a Physical disability or Mental disability reporting an employment disability. The chart contains three pairs of columns. The estimated percentage of working age people with a Sensory disability reporting an Employment disability: 2003: 38.8%, 2004: 40.4%. The estimated percentage of working age people with a Physical disability reporting an Employment disability 2003: 62.6%, 2004: 63.6%; The estimated percentage of working age people with a Mental disability reporting an Employment disability 2003:, 68.3%, 2004:, 68.2%,. [End Chart 2]
Definition of Employment Disabilities:
The 2003 and 2004 ACS employment disability definition is based on one of the six disability-related items: because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition lasting 6 months or more, does this person have any difficulty in doing any of the following activities: (b) working at a job or business?
This Status Report addresses the age distribution among working-age people (ages 21-64) with disabilities in the United States, using data from the 2003 and 2004 American Community Surveys (ACS). State-level Status Reports and more information about the ACS are available at www.DisabilityStatistics.org.
Among people with disabilities in the US, the percentage
In comparison, among people without disabilities the US, the percentage
[Chart 1] This chart shows the age distribution of those with and without disabilities among the working age population by year. The chart contains four sets of five columns each. Of the working age population with a disability in 2003, % were aged 21 to 29, % were aged 30 to 39, % were aged 40 to 49, % were aged 50 to 59, % were aged 60 to 64. Of the working age population with a disability in 2004, % were aged 21 to 29, %% were aged 30 to 39, % were aged 40 to 49, % were aged 50 to 59, % were aged 60 to 64. Of the working age population without a disability in 2003, % were aged 21 to 29, % were aged 30 to 39, % were aged 40 to 49, % were aged 50 to 59, % were aged 60 to 64. Of the working age population without a disability in 2004, % were aged 21 to 29, % were aged 30 to 39, % were aged 40 to 49, % were aged 50 to 59, % were aged 60 to 64. [End Chart 1]
Definition of Age: The ACS question on age is as follows: "What is this person's age and what is this person's date of birth?"
Back to TopThis Status Report addresses the race distribution among working-age people (ages 21-64) with disabilities in the United States, using data from the 2003 and 2004 American Community Surveys (ACS). State-level Status Reports and more information about the ACS are available at www.DisabilityStatistics.org.
Among people with disabilities, the percentage
In comparison, among people without disabilities, the percentage
[Chart 1] This chart shows the race distribution of those with and without disabilities among the working age population by year. The chart contains four sets of five columns each. Of the working age population with a disability in 2003, 2.4% were Asian, 15.4% were Black, 1.4% were Native American, 74.6% were White, and 6.2% were some other race or combination of two or more races. Of the working age population with a disability in 2004, 2.4% were Asian, 15.4% were Black, 1.5% were Native American, 74.2% were White and 6.6% were some other race or combination of two or more races. Of the working age population without a disability in 2003, 4.9% were Asian, 11% were Black, 0.7% were Native American, 77.2% were White, and 6.2% were some other race or combination of two or more races. Of the working age population without a disability in 2004, 5% were Asian, 11.1% were Black, 0.7% were Native American, 76.6% were White, and 6.6% were some other race or combination of two or more races. [End Chart 1]
Definition of Race: Our 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 contains people who report more than one race.
Back to TopThis Status Report addresses the gender distribution among working-age people (ages 21-64) with disabilities in the United States, using data from the 2003 and 2004 American Community Surveys (ACS). State-level Status Reports and more information about the ACS are available at www.DisabilityStatistics.org.
Among people with disabilities, the percentage that are
In comparison, among people without disabilities, the percentage that are
[Chart 1] This chart shows the gender distribution for those with and without disabilities among the working age population by year. The chart contains four sets of two columns. Of the working age population with a disability in 2003, 51.2% were women and 48.8% were men. Of the working age population with a disability in 2004, 51.6% were women and 48.4% were men. Of the working age population without a disability in 2003, 50.9% were women and 49.1% were men. Of the working age population without a disability in 2004, 50.8% were women and 49.2% were men. [End Chart 1]
Definition of Gender: Gender is based on the question: "What is this person's sex? Responses include male and female.
Back to TopThis Status Report addresses the education distribution among working-age people (ages 21-64) with disabilities in the United States, using data from the 2003 and 2004 American Community Surveys (ACS). State-level Status Reports and more information about the ACS are available at www.DisabilityStatistics.org.
Among working-age people with disabilities in the US, the percentage with
In comparison, among working-age people without disabilities in the US, the percentage with
[Chart 1] This chart shows the education distribution of those with and without disabilities among the working age population by year. The chart contains four sets of four columns. Of the working age population with a disability in 2003, 25.8% had less than a high school education, 33.9% had a high school diploma/equivalent, 27.9% had some college education, and 12.5% had a bachelor's degree or more. Of the working age population with a disability in 2004, 25.4% had less than a high school education, 33.7% had a high school diploma/equivalent, 28.1% had some college education, and 12.7% had a bachelor's degree or more. Of the working age population without a disability in 2003, 12.1% had less than a high school education, 28.4% had a high school diploma/equivalent, 30.2% had some college education, and 29.3% had a bachelor's degree or more. Of the working age population without a disability in 2004, 11.8% had less than a high school education, 28.1% had a high school diploma/equivalent, 30.3% had some college education, and 29.8% had a bachelor's degree or more. [End Chart 1]
Definition of Education: Our definition is based on the responses to the question: "What is the highest level of schooling this person has completed? If currently enrolled, mark the previous grade or highest degree received." Our category, less than high school, includes those marking the ACS options: no schooling complete; nursery school to 4th grade; 5th grade or 6th grade; 7th grade or 8th grade; 9th grade; 10th grade; 11th grade; or "12th grade — NO DIPLOMA[emphasis is theirs]." Our category, high school diploma/equivalent, includes those marking the ACS option "HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE — high school DIPLOMA or the equivalent (for example: GED)." Our category, some college, includes those marking the ACS options: some college credit, but less than 1 year; 1 or more years of college but no degree, or "Associate degree (for example: AA, AS)." Our category, a Bachelor's or more, includes those marking the ACS options: "Bachelor's degree (for example: BA, AB, 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)." Back to Top
This Status Report addresses patterns across states in the percentage of working-age (ages 21-64) people with disabilities, using data from the 2003 and 2004 American Community Surveys (ACS). State-level Status Reports and more information about the ACS are available at www.DisabilityStatistics.org.
| Location | 2003 | 2004 |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.6 | 16.7 |
| Alaska | 14.3 | 14 |
| Arizona | 11.8 | 11.8 |
| Arkansas | 17.5 | 19.9 |
| California | 10.7 | 10.5 |
| Colorado | 9.1 | 10.1 |
| Connecticut | 9.3 | 9.2 |
| DC | 11.4 | 10.8 |
| Delaware | 11.8 | 12.8 |
| Florida | 12 | 11.9 |
| Georgia | 12.1 | 11.6 |
| Hawaii | 10.3 | 9.8 |
| Idaho | 14.7 | 13.3 |
| Illinois | 9.3 | 9.3 |
| Indiana | 13.3 | 12.4 |
| Iowa | 12.3 | 10.7 |
| Kansas | 11 | 11.8 |
| Kentucky | 18 | 20 |
| Louisiana | 15.1 | 14.5 |
| Maine | 15.7 | 15.3 |
| Maryland | 10.7 | 10.5 |
| Massachusetts | 9.9 | 10 |
| Michigan | 12.6 | 13 |
| Minnesota | 9.1 | 9.7 |
| Mississippi | 19.2 | 19.1 |
| Missouri | 12.5 | 13.6 |
| Montana | 14.3 | 13.3 |
| Nebraska | 12.5 | 11.9 |
| Nevada | 10.5 | 10.7 |
| New Hampshire | 10.2 | 11.3 |
| New Jersey | 9.1 | 9.1 |
| New Mexico | 14.5 | 14.9 |
| New York | 10.9 | 10.8 |
| North Carolina | 14.4 | 13 |
| North Dakota | 10.8 | 10.8 |
| Ohio | 13.3 | 13 |
| Oklahoma | 15.3 | 16.8 |
| Oregon | 13.2 | 14.3 |
| Pennsylvania | 12.4 | 13.2 |
| Rhode Island | 12.3 | 12.5 |
| South Carolina | 14.6 | 14.5 |
| South Dakota | 9.2 | 10.4 |
| Tennessee | 15.1 | 15.4 |
| Texas | 10.9 | 11.2 |
| United States | 12 | 12.1 |
| Utah | 9.6 | 10.1 |
| Vermont | 13.6 | 13 |
| Virginia | 11.3 | 11.2 |
| Washington | 12.8 | 13.1 |
| West Virginia | 21.3 | 21.5 |
| Wisconsin | 11.3 | 11.4 |
| Wyoming | 13 | 13.2 |
Definition of Disability: The Year 1 and Year2 ACS definition is based on three questions: (1) Does this person have any of the following long-lasting conditions: (a) blindness, deafness, or a severe vision or hearing impairment? and (b) a condition that substantially limits one or more basic physical activities such as walking, climbing stairs, reaching, lifting, or carrying? (2) Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition lasting 6 months or more, does this person have any difficulty in doing any of the following activities: (a) learning, remembering, or concentrating? and (b) dressing, bathing, or getting around inside the home? (3) Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition lasting 6 months or more, does this person have any difficulty in doing any of the following activities: (a) going outside the home alone to shop or visit a doctor's office? (b) working at a job or business?
Back to TopThis Status Report addresses patterns across states in the percentage of working-age (ages 21-64) people with disabilities, using data from the 2003 and 2004 American Community Surveys (ACS). State-level Status Reports and more information about the ACS are available at www.DisabilityStatistics.org.
| People with Disabilities | People without Disabilities | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | 2003 | 2004 | 2003 | 2004 |
| Alabama | 29.5 | 30.3 | 76.8 | 77.5 |
| Alaska | 53.9 | 47.6 | 77.1 | 77.9 |
| Arizona | 38.6 | 37.4 | 75.5 | 76.1 |
| Arkansas | 34.8 | 35.2 | 79.6 | 79.3 |
| California | 36.3 | 38.3 | 74.8 | 75.3 |
| Colorado | 48.3 | 44 | 79.7 | 79.6 |
| Connecticut | 42.8 | 43.6 | 79.3 | 80.4 |
| DC | 38.1 | 35.1 | 75 | 77.5 |
| Delaware | 43.5 | 42.6 | 80.5 | 80.2 |
| Florida | 37.7 | 37 | 76.7 | 77.2 |
| Georgia | 34.8 | 33.7 | 78.5 | 78.3 |
| Hawaii | 42.2 | 36.5 | 78.4 | 78.9 |
| Idaho | 47.6 | 41.6 | 79.1 | 78.6 |
| Illinois | 39.5 | 37.5 | 76.4 | 77 |
| Indiana | 41.9 | 41.9 | 78.6 | 79.2 |
| Iowa | 46 | 42.5 | 83.4 | 83.1 |
| Kansas | 42.3 | 44.6 | 81.9 | 83.2 |
| Kentucky | 27.7 | 29 | 76.3 | 77.6 |
| Louisiana | 32.3 | 32.3 | 75.4 | 75.2 |
| Maine | 42.3 | 35.9 | 82.3 | 83.3 |
| Maryland | 42.5 | 42.4 | 81 | 80.9 |
| Massachusetts | 36.3 | 35.4 | 79.9 | 81.2 |
| Michigan | 36.4 | 35.8 | 76.6 | 76.1 |
| Minnesota | 48.8 | 50 | 82.5 | 83 |
| Mississippi | 32.5 | 29.4 | 78.6 | 76.9 |
| Missouri | 38.1 | 39.5 | 80.6 | 80.1 |
| Montana | 48.6 | 40.2 | 80.9 | 80.6 |
| Nebraska | 48.1 | 47.8 | 84.5 | 84.5 |
| Nevada | 40.8 | 38.2 | 76.8 | 77.2 |
| New Hampshire | 46.4 | 41.8 | 82.6 | 82.9 |
| New Jersey | 39.6 | 38.7 | 77.8 | 77.7 |
| New Mexico | 37.7 | 38.3 | 75.4 | 76.4 |
| New York | 35.4 | 34 | 75.5 | 75.9 |
| North Carolina | 35.1 | 34 | 78.6 | 78.5 |
| North Dakota | 48.7 | 51.7 | 84.2 | 84 |
| Ohio | 37.7 | 37.9 | 78.4 | 78.3 |
| Oklahoma | 40.6 | 41.3 | 75.3 | 76.4 |
| Oregon | 39.5 | 40.6 | 77.9 | 77.1 |
| Pennsylvania | 35.7 | 35.3 | 78.4 | 78.7 |
| Rhode Island | 37 | 39.9 | 82 | 80.3 |
| South Carolina | 33.4 | 32.7 | 77.7 | 78.1 |
| South Dakota | 54.7 | 49.7 | 83.8 | 84.6 |
| Tennessee | 35.7 | 33.8 | 79 | 78.8 |
| Texas | 39.4 | 39.6 | 75.8 | 76.1 |
| United States | 37.9 | 37.5 | 77.6 | 77.8 |
| Utah | 49.3 | 49.2 | 77.6 | 77.9 |
| Vermont | 46.9 | 50.8 | 84 | 84 |
| Virginia | 40 | 38.8 | 80.3 | 80.2 |
| Washington | 40.7 | 42.6 | 77.5 | 75.9 |
| West Virginia | 24.8 | 23.9 | 73 | 75.7 |
| Wisconsin | 44.1 | 44.3 | 81.4 | 81.2 |
| Wyoming | 52.4 | 51.8 | 82 | 82 |
Definition of Employment: A person is considered employed if he or she (a) worked 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 (b) had a job but temporarily did not work at that job during the reference period due to illness, bad weather, industrial dispute, vacation or other personal reasons. The reference period is defined as the week preceding the date the questionnaire was completed.
Back to TopThis Status Report addresses the time trend in the percentage of working-age (ages 21-64) people with sensory, physical, mental, and/or self-care disabilities in the United States, using data from the 2001-2004 American Community Surveys (ACS). (We report time trends for this group, and not for overall disability, because substantial respondent error was found in the go-outside-home and employment disabilities data from the 2001-2004 ACS.) State-level Status Reports and more information about the ACS are available at www.DisabilityStatistics.org.
[Chart 1] This chart shows the estimated prevalence rates for working age people with sensory, physical, mental, and/or self-care disabilities over time from 2001 to 2004. The chart contains a column for each year. The estimated prevalence rate for working age people with sensory, physical, mental, and/or self-care disabilities for 2001: 10.6%, 2002: 10.9%, 2003: 10.8%, 2004: 10.9%. [End Chart 1]
Definition of Disability: In this status report we utilize four ACS disability types based on the following questions: (1) Does this person have any of the following long-lasting conditions: (a) blindness, deafness, or a severe vision or hearing impairment? and (b) a condition that substantially limits one or more basic physical activities such as walking, climbing stairs, reaching, lifting, or carrying? (2) Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition lasting 6 months or more, does this person have any difficulty in doing any of the following activities: (a) learning, remembering, or concentrating? and (b) dressing, bathing, or getting around inside the home?
Back to TopThis Status Report addresses the time trend in the employment rate of working-age (ages 21-64) people with sensory, physical, mental, and/or self-care disabilities in the United States, using data from the 2001-2004 American Community Surveys (ACS). (We report time trends for this group, and not for overall disability, because substantial respondent error was found in the go-outside-home and employment disabilities data from the 2001-2004 ACS.) State-level Status Reports and more information about the ACS are available at http://www.DisabilityStatistics.org.
[Chart 1] This chart shows the estimated employment rates over time, from 2001 to 2004, for working age people with and without sensory, physical, mental, and/or self-care disabilities. The chart contains a four pairs of columns. The estimated employment rate for working age people with sensory, physical, mental, and/or self-care disabilities for 2001: 40.8%, the rate for those without any of these disabilities for 2001: 78.1%. The estimated employment rate for working age people with sensory, physical, mental, and/or self-care disabilities for 2002: 39.6%, the rate for those without with sensory, physical, mental, and/or self-care disabilities for 2002: 77.3%. The estimated employment rate for working age people with sensory, physical, mental, and/or self-care disabilities for 2003: 38.6%, the rate for those without with sensory, physical, mental, and/or self-care disabilities for 2003: 77%. The estimated employment rate for working age people with sensory, physical, mental, and/or self-care disabilities for 2004: 38.3%, the rate for those without sensory, physical, mental, and/or self-care disabilities for 2004: 77.2%. [End Chart 1]
Definition of Employment: A person is considered employed if he or she (a) worked 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 (b) had a job but temporarily did not work at that job during the reference period due to illness, bad weather, industrial dispute, vacation or other personal reasons. The reference period is defined as the week preceding the date the questionnaire was completed.
* Note: Calculations by the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Demographics and Statistics (StatsRRTC) using the 2003 and 2004 ACS Public Use Microdata Samples (PUMS). Asterisks (*) indicate that the terms "increased" and "decreased" reflect statistically significant changes at the 90-percent confidence level.
Contact: Ask questions via our technical assistance form at www.DisabilityStatistics.org.
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on
Disability Demographics and Statistics (StatsRRTC)
Cornell University
303 ILR Extension Building
Ithaca, New York 14853-3901
Tel: 607.255.9605
Fax: 607.255.2763
TTY: 607.255.2891
Email: DisabilityStatistics@cornell.edu
Web: www.DisabilityStatistics.org