2009 Disability Status Report: United States

Table of Contents

The 2009 Annual Disability Status Report

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

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

The estimates in the 2009 Disability Status Reports are based on American Community Survey (ACS) data — a US Census Bureau survey that has replaced the Decennial Census long form. See the ACS User Guide on www.disabilitystatistics.org for additional information on the ACS.

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

Finally, the 2009 Disability Status Report estimates should not be compared to estimates from any reports based on ACS data collected prior to 2008. In 2008, the US Census Bureau made a number of significant changes to the ACS. These changes included an entirely new set of disability questions as described on the following page. For a summary of all changes to the ACS 2008 survey see the following Census Bureau document:

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

 

Suggested Citation

Erickson, W. Lee, C., & von Schrader, S. (2011). 2009 Disability Status Report: United States. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Employment and Disability Institute (EDI).

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

ACS Disability Questions

The disability questions used in the ACS are listed below. Note that the Census Bureau refers to each of the individual types as "difficulty" while in this report the term "disability" is used.

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

 

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New Features and Notes

New Features

We are pleased to announce Spanish language versions of the Annual Disability Status Reports for the US, all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington D.C. These reports can be downloaded at the same location as the English Status Reports. The Spanish translation was made possible funding from the Northeast Disability Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC) and NIDRR.

Notes

Puerto Rico: A Puerto Rico Disability Status Report, based on the parallel 2009 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.ilr.cornell.edu/edi/disabilitystatistics/faq.cfm#Q4 for further information.

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United States Summary

These statistics indicate the social and economic status of non-institutionalized people with disabilities in the United States, using data from the 2009 American Community Survey (ACS).

Age: In 2009, the prevalence of disability in the US was:

  • 12.0 percent for persons of all ages
  • 0.7 percent for persons ages 4 and under
  • 5.1 percent for persons ages 5 to 15
  • 5.5 percent for persons ages 16 to 20
  • 10.4 percent for persons ages 21 to 64
  • 26.0 percent for persons ages 65 to 74
  • 50.8 percent for persons ages 75+

Disability Type: In 2009, the prevalence of the six disability types among persons of all ages in the US was:

  • 2.1% reported a Visual Disability
  • 3.4% reported a Hearing Disability
  • 6.9% reported an Ambulatory Disability
  • 4.8% reported a Cognitive Disability
  • 2.6% reported a Self-Care Disability
  • 5.4% reported an Independent Living Disability

Gender: In 2009, 12.3 percent of females of all ages and 11.6 percent of males of all ages in the US reported a disability.

Hispanic/Latino: In 2009, the prevalence of disability among persons of all ages of Hispanic or Latino origin in the US was 8.3 percent.

Race: In the US in 2009, the prevalence of disability for working-age people (ages 21 to 64) was:

  • 10.1 percent among Whites
  • 14.1 percent among Black / African Americans
  • 4.5 percent among Asians
  • 18.0 percent among Native Americans
  • 10.1 percent among persons of some other race(s)

Employment: In 2009, the employment rate of working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in the US was 36.0 percent.

Looking for Work: In the US in 2009, the percentage actively looking for work among people with disabilities who were not working was 11.6 percent.

Full-Time/Full-Year Employment: In the US in 2009, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities working full-time/full-year was 22.5 percent.

Annual Earnings: In 2009, the median annual earnings of working-age people with disabilities working full-time/full-year in the US was $35,000.

Annual Household Income: In the US in 2009, the median annual income of households with working-age people with disabilities was $37,200.

Poverty: In the US in 2009, the poverty rate of working-age people with disabilities was 26.4 percent.

Supplemental Security Income: In 2009, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities receiving SSI payments in the US was 18.5 percent.

Educational Attainment: In 2009, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities in the US:

  • with only a high school diploma or equivalent was 34.0 percent
  • with only some college or an associate degree was 29.9 percent
  • with a bachelor's degree or more was 12.2 percent.

Veterans Service-Connected Disability: In 2009, the percentage of working-age civilian veterans with a VA determined Service-Connected Disability was 17.5 percent in the US.

Health Insurance Coverage: In 2009 in the US, 82.6 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 2009 American Community Survey (ACS). The US disability prevalence rate for this population was 10.4%

Location 2009 (%) Location 2009 (%)
Alabama 15.5 Montana 11.8
Alaska 12.0 Nebraska 9.2
Arizona 10.3 Nevada 9.0
Arkansas 17.0 New Hampshire 9.2
California 8.4 New Jersey 7.8
Colorado 8.2 New Mexico 12.3
Connecticut 8.6 New York 9.1
Delaware 11.2 North Carolina 11.7
District of Columbia 10.0 North Dakota 9.2
Florida 9.9 Ohio 12.0
Georgia 10.5 Oklahoma 15.2
Hawaii 7.7 Oregon 11.2
Idaho 11.2 Pennsylvania 11.0
Illinois 8.2 Puerto Rico 19.1
Indiana 11.3 Rhode Island 10.2
Iowa 9.4 South Carolina 12.2
Kansas 10.6 South Dakota 9.7
Kentucky 16.4 Tennessee 13.9
Louisiana 13.0 Texas 10.3
Maine 14.4 Utah 8.3
Maryland 8.4 Vermont 11.4
Massachusetts 9.2 Virginia 9.3
Michigan 11.9 Washington 10.7
Minnesota 8.4 West Virginia 18.4
Mississippi 15.1 Wisconsin 8.9
Missouri 12.6 Wyoming 11.1
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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 2009 American Community Survey (ACS). The employment rate in the US for this population was 36.0% for people with disabilities and 76.8% for people without disabilities.

Location People with Disabilities 2009 People without Disabilities 2009 Location People with Disabilities 2009 People without Disabilities 2009
Alabama 30.0 74.8 Montana 45.5 78.6
Alaska 50.2 77.7 Nebraska 45.8 84.7
Arizona 33.9 73.4 Nevada 40.9 75.4
Arkansas 34.6 76.8 New Hampshire 39.3 82.0
California 34.2 74.3 New Jersey 40.2 77.8
Colorado 46.7 78.7 New Mexico 37.0 74.7
Connecticut 41.7 79.8 New York 33.9 76.4
Delaware 35.8 80.1 North Carolina 34.9 76.2
District of Columbia 28.3 78.0 North Dakota 56.1 85.4
Florida 32.9 74.6 Ohio 34.0 76.5
Georgia 34.6 75.4 Oklahoma 40.2 78.5
Hawaii 41.1 80.3 Oregon 38.1 74.7
Idaho 38.5 75.7 Pennsylvania 36.3 78.1
Illinois 36.3 76.5 Puerto Rico 22.8 57.6
Indiana 36.0 77.0 Rhode Island 36.6 80.6
Iowa 47.0 84.0 South Carolina 30.1 74.7
Kansas 44.7 81.7 South Dakota 45.8 83.3
Kentucky 28.1 74.7 Tennessee 30.2 75.7
Louisiana 35.0 76.3 Texas 39.8 77.1
Maine 33.8 81.0 Utah 43.3 77.9
Maryland 44.0 81.0 Vermont 44.2 83.6
Massachusetts 34.8 79.8 Virginia 39.6 80.0
Michigan 30.4 71.7 Washington 39.1 76.7
Minnesota 44.3 82.0 West Virginia 28.0 74.2
Mississippi 28.7 74.9 Wisconsin 40.3 81.6
Missouri 35.6 78.5 Wyoming 50.3 82.5
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Prevalence

All Ages

Prevalence: All Ages 12.0%

Introduction

This section addresses the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people of all ages in the United States, using data from the 2009 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2009, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability of all ages in the US was 12.0 percent.
  • In other words, in 2009, 36,230,100 of the 302,783,200 individuals of all ages in the US reported one or more disabilities.
  • In the US in 2009, among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Ambulatory Disability," 6.9 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Visual Disability," 2.1 percent.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people of all ages in the United States in 2009*

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 12.0 0.05 36,230,100 157,290 302,783,200 2,979,835
Visual 2.1 0.02 6,453,300 69,940 302,783,200 2,979,835
Hearing 3.4 0.03 10,221,000 87,460 302,783,200 2,979,835
Ambulatory 6.9 0.04 19,425,100 118,690 281,613,500 2,799,892
Cognitive 4.8 0.04 13,581,200 100,250 281,613,500 2,799,892
Self-Care 2.6 0.03 7,189,100 73,730 281,613,500 2,799,892
Independent Living 5.4 0.04 13,041,100 98,330 240,963,700 2,414,589

* 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 0.7%

Introduction

This section focuses on the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized children ages 4 and under in the United States, using data from the 2009 American Community Survey (ACS). Only the two sensory disability questions were asked of this population. For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2009, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of children with a visual and/or hearing disability ages 0 to 4 in the US was 0.7 percent.
  • In other words, in 2009, 157,000 of the 21,169,700 children ages 0 to 4 in the US reported one or more disabilities.
  • In the US in 2009, 0.4 reported a visual disability
  • In the US in 2009, 0.5 reported a hearing disability

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 4 and under in the United States in 2009

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 0.7 3.29 157,000 11,020 21,169,700 179,943
Visual 0.4 3.29 92,100 8,440 21,169,700 179,943
Hearing 0.5 3.29 101,900 8,880 21,169,700 179,943
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Prevalence

Ages 5 to 15 years

Prevalence: Ages 5 to 15 years 5.1%

Introduction

This section focuses on the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized children ages 5 to 15 in the United States, using data from the 2009 American Community Survey (ACS)*. For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2009, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of children with a disability ages 5 to 15 in the US was 5.1 percent.
  • In other words, in 2009, 2,299,900 of the 44,761,000 individuals ages 5 to 15 in the US reported one or more disabilities.
  • In the US in 2009, among the five types of disabilities* identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Cognitive Disability," 3.9 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Hearing Disability," 0.6 percent.

Prevalence of disability* among non-institutionalized people ages 5 to 15 in the United States in 2009

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 5.1 0.09 2,299,900 42,040 44,761,000 426,632
Visual 0.7 3.29 326,800 15,900 44,761,000 426,632
Hearing 0.6 3.29 290,900 15,000 44,761,000 426,632
Ambulatory 0.7 3.29 291,600 15,020 44,761,000 426,632
Cognitive 3.9 0.08 1,759,000 36,800 44,761,000 426,632
Self-Care 0.9 3.29 407,400 17,750 44,761,000 426,632

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

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Prevalence

Ages 16 to 20 years

Prevalence: Ages 16 to 20 years 5.5%

Introduction

This section focuses on the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 16 to 20 in the United States, using data from the 2009 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2009, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability ages 16 to 20 in the US was 5.5 percent.
  • In other words, in 2009, 1,215,700 of the 21,930,700 individuals ages 16 to 20 in the US reported one or more disabilities.
  • In the US in 2009, among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Cognitive Disability," 3.9 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Hearing Disability," 0.7 percent.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 16 to 20 in the United States in 2009

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 5.5 0.14 1,215,700 30,620 21,930,700 201,911
Visual 0.9 3.29 195,800 12,310 21,930,700 201,911
Hearing 0.7 3.29 149,200 10,740 21,930,700 201,911
Ambulatory 0.9 3.29 193,900 12,250 21,930,700 201,911
Cognitive 3.9 0.11 845,800 25,550 21,930,700 201,911
Self-Care 0.7 3.29 147,500 10,680 21,930,700 201,911
Independent Living 1.9 3.29 413,700 17,890 21,930,700 201,911
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Prevalence

Ages 21 to 64 years

Prevalence: Ages 21 to 64 years 10.4%

Introduction

This section focuses on the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) in the United States, using data from the 2009 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2009, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of working age people (ages 21 to 64) with a disability in the US was 10.4 percent.
  • In other words, in 2009, 18,382,600 of the 177,004,700 individuals ages 21 to 64 in the US reported one or more disabilities.
  • In the US in 2009, among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Ambulatory Disability," 5.5 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was "Visual Disability," 1.8 percent.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 21 to 64 in the United States in 2009

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 10.4 0.06 18,382,600 115,670 177,004,700 1,709,245
Visual 1.8 3.29 3,156,700 49,180 177,004,700 1,709,245
Hearing 2.2 0.03 3,829,400 54,110 177,004,700 1,709,245
Ambulatory 5.5 0.05 9,739,500 85,450 177,004,700 1,709,245
Cognitive 4.2 0.04 7,385,200 74,700 177,004,700 1,709,245
Self-Care 1.9 3.29 3,307,500 50,330 177,004,700 1,709,245
Independent Living 3.6 0.04 6,324,100 69,250 177,004,700 1,709,245
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Prevalence

Ages 65 to 74 years

Prevalence: Ages 65 to 74 years 26.0%

Introduction

This section explores the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 65 to 74 in the United States, using data from the 2009 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2009, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability ages 65 to 74 in the US was 26.0 percent.
  • In other words, in 2009, 5,346,000 of the 20,550,800 individuals ages 65 to 74 in the US reported one or more disabilities.
  • In the US in 2009, among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Ambulatory Disability," 16.5 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Visual Disability," 4.3 percent.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 65 to 74 in the United States in 2009

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 26.0 0.27 5,346,000 63,770 20,550,800 253,484
Visual 4.3 0.12 875,800 26,000 20,550,800 253,484
Hearing 9.2 0.18 1,894,200 38,180 20,550,800 253,484
Ambulatory 16.5 0.23 3,390,300 50,950 20,550,800 253,484
Cognitive 5.5 0.14 1,120,300 29,400 20,550,800 253,484
Self-Care 4.7 0.13 956,000 27,160 20,550,800 253,484
Independent Living 8.3 0.17 1,704,100 36,220 20,550,800 253,484
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Prevalence

Ages 75 and Older

Prevalence: Ages 75 and Older 50.8%

Introduction

This section focuses on the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 75 and older in the United States, using data from the 2009 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2009, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability ages 75 and older in the US was 50.8 percent.
  • In other words, in 2009, 8,828,900 of the 17,366,300 individuals ages 75 and older in the US reported one or more disabilities.
  • In the US in 2009, among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was for "Ambulatory Disability," 33.5 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Visual Disability," 10.4 percent.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 75 and older in the United States in 2009

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Any Disability 50.8 0.33 8,828,900 81,480 17,366,300 208,620
Visual 10.4 0.20 1,806,100 37,280 17,366,300 208,620
Hearing 22.8 0.28 3,955,300 54,980 17,366,300 208,620
Ambulatory 33.5 0.32 5,809,800 66,430 17,366,300 208,620
Cognitive 14.2 0.23 2,470,800 43,560 17,366,300 208,620
Self-Care 13.7 0.23 2,370,600 42,680 17,366,300 208,620
Independent Living 26.0 0.29 4,520,800 58,720 17,366,300 208,620
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Prevalence

Gender and Age

Prevalence: Males All Ages 11.6%
Prevalence: Female All Ages 12.3%

Introduction

This section examines the prevalence of disability among people by gender and age group in the United States, using data from the 2009 American Community Survey (ACS)*. For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In the US in 2009, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of males with a disability of all ages was 11.6 percent.
  • In other words, in 2009, 17,200,400 of the 148,653,800 males of all ages in the US reported one or more disabilities.
  • In the US in 2009, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of females with a disability of all ages was 12.3 percent.
  • In other words, in 2009, 19,029,700 of the 154,129,400 females of all ages in the US reported one or more disabilities.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people by gender and age group in the United States in 2009

Gender & Age Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Males
Males: All Ages 11.6 0.07 17,200,400 112,120 148,653,800 1,437,700
Males: Ages 4 and under 0.8 3.29 85,000 8,110 10,830,300 92,081
Males: Ages 5-15 6.4 0.14 1,477,700 33,740 22,914,800 218,007
Males: Ages 16-20 6.2 0.20 692,500 23,130 11,201,500 103,155
Males: Ages 21-64 10.4 0.09 9,107,500 82,720 87,396,200 822,262
Males: Ages 65-74 26.6 0.40 2,519,600 43,990 9,476,000 117,706
Males: Ages 75+ 48.5 0.53 3,318,200 50,410 6,834,900 84,489
Females
Females: All Ages 12.3 0.07 19,029,700 117,560 154,129,400 1,542,135
Females: Ages 4 and under 0.7 3.29 72,100 7,470 10,339,400 87,862
Females: Ages 5-15 3.8 0.11 822,200 25,200 21,846,200 208,625
Females: Ages 16-20 4.9 0.18 523,300 20,110 10,729,200 98,756
Females: Ages 21-64 10.4 0.09 9,275,100 83,450 89,608,500 886,983
Females: Ages 65-74 25.5 0.36 2,826,500 46,560 11,074,800 135,778
Females: Ages 75+ 52.3 0.43 5,510,700 64,730 10,531,400 124,131

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

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Prevalence

Hispanic/Latino Origin and Age

Prevalence: Hispanic All Ages 8.3%
Prevalence: Non-Hispanic All Ages 12.6%

Introduction

This section examines the prevalence of disability among people by Hispanic/Latino origin and age group in the United States, using data from the 2009 American Community Survey (ACS)*. For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In the US in 2009, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of disability among people of Hispanic/Latino origin of all ages was 8.3 percent.
  • In other words, in 2009, 3,983,200 of the 47,803,900 people of Hispanic/Latino origin of all ages in the US reported one or more disabilities.
  • In the US in 2009, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of disability among people of non-Hispanic/Latino origin of all ages was 12.6 percent.
  • In other words, in 2009, 32,246,900 of the 254,979,300 people of non-Hispanic/Latino origin of all ages in the US reported one or more disabilities.

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

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people by Hispanic / Latino origin and age group in the United States in 2009

Hispanic/Latino Origin & Age Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
Hispanic
Hispanic - All Ages 8.3 0.11 3,983,200 55,170 47,803,900 391,387
Hispanic - Ages 4 and under 0.9 3.29 48,200 6,110 5,435,300 38,546
Hispanic - Ages 5-15 4.8 0.19 462,300 18,900 9,651,700 81,600
Hispanic - Ages 16-20 4.8 0.30 193,100 12,220 4,012,700 34,405
Hispanic - Ages 21-64 8.3 0.15 2,162,900 40,780 26,052,200 210,562
Hispanic - Ages 65-74 31.6 1.04 490,500 19,470 1,549,900 15,625
Hispanic - Ages 75+ 56.8 1.31 626,300 22,000 1,102,100 10,649
Non-Hispanic
Non-Hispanic - All Ages 12.6 0.06 32,246,900 149,480 254,979,300 2,588,448
Non-Hispanic - Ages 4 and under 0.7 3.29 108,800 9,180 15,734,400 141,397
Non-Hispanic - Ages 5-15 5.2 0.10 1,837,600 37,610 35,109,200 345,032
Non-Hispanic - Ages 16-20 5.7 0.15 1,022,700 28,090 17,918,000 167,506
Non-Hispanic - Ages 21-64 10.7 0.07 16,219,600 109,060 150,952,500 1,498,683
Non-Hispanic - Ages 65-74 25.6 0.28 4,855,500 60,830 19,000,900 237,859
Non-Hispanic - Ages 75+ 50.4 0.34 8,202,600 78,620 16,264,200 197,971

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

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Prevalence

Race

Introduction

This section presents the disability prevalence rate among non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by race category in the US, using data from the 2009 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

In 2009, among working-age people in the US:

  • 10.1 percent of persons who were White reported a disability.
  • 14.1 percent of persons who were Black/African American reported a disability.
  • 18.0 percent of persons who were Native American reported a disability.
  • 4.5 percent of persons who were Asian reported a disability.
  • 10.1 percent of persons who were some other race(s) reported a disability.

Prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by race in the United States in 2009

Race Percent MOE Number MOE Base Population Sample Size
White 10.1 0.07 13,570,800 100,210 133,865,000 1,349,321
Black/African American 14.1 0.21 2,976,800 47,770 21,165,500 164,366
Native American or
Alaska Native		 18.0 0.91 248,400 13,860 1,383,800 14,774
Asian 4.5 0.19 391,500 17,400 8,756,800 83,646
Some other race(s) 10.1 0.24 1,195,100 30,360 11,833,600 97,138
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Employment

Employment: with disability 36.0%
Employment: without disability 76.8%

Introduction

This section examines the employment rates of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in the United States, using data from the 2009 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2009, the employment rate of working-age people with disabilities in the US was 36.0 percent.
  • In 2009, the employment rate of working-age people without disabilities in the US was 76.8 percent.
  • The gap between the employment rates of working-age people with and without disabilities was 40.8 percentage points.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest employment rate was for people with a "Hearing Disability," 52.8 percent. The lowest employment rate was for people with a "Independent Living Disability," 17.2 percent.

Employment of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by disability status in the United States in 2009

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 76.8 0.09 121,778,200 237,410 158,622,200 1,528,114
Any Disability 36.0 0.31 6,612,900 70,770 18,382,600 181,131
Visual 38.7 0.76 1,222,800 30,710 3,156,700 29,607
Hearing 52.8 0.71 2,021,500 39,430 3,829,400 39,569
Ambulatory 26.4 0.39 2,567,000 44,390 9,739,500 96,738
Cognitive 24.9 0.44 1,835,400 37,580 7,385,200 69,278
Self-Care 17.3 0.58 573,200 21,050 3,307,500 32,116
Independent Living 17.2 0.42 1,086,900 28,960 6,324,100 61,949
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Not Working but Actively Looking for Work

Actively Looking: with disability 11.6%
Actively Looking: without disability 30.4%

Introduction

This section focuses on the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in the United States who are not working but actively looking for work, using data from the 2009 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2009 in the US, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities who were not working but actively looking for work was 11.6 percent.
  • In 2009 in the US, the percentage of working-age people without disabilities who were not working but actively looking for work was 30.4 percent.
  • The difference in the percentage not working but actively looking for work between working-age people with and without disabilities was 18.8 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," 15.5 percent. The lowest percentage was for people with a "Self-Care Disability," 4.6 percent.

Percentage who are not working but actively looking for work among non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) in the United States in 2009

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 30.4 0.15 11,214,400 64,560 36,843,900 350,460
Any Disability 11.6 0.18 1,366,400 22,910 11,769,600 115,428
Visual 13.0 0.47 252,300 9,860 1,933,900 18,119
Hearing 15.5 0.53 280,600 10,400 1,807,900 18,433
Ambulatory 7.7 0.20 552,400 14,590 7,172,500 71,439
Cognitive 11.0 0.26 611,300 15,340 5,549,800 52,189
Self-Care 4.6 0.25 124,800 6,940 2,734,300 26,706
Independent Living 5.6 0.20 291,100 10,590 5,237,200 51,555
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Full-Time / Full-Year Employment

FT / FY Employment: with disability 22.5%
FT / FY Employment: without disability 57.0%

Introduction

This section presents the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities working full-time/full-year in the United States, using data from the 2009 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2009, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities working full-time/full-year in the US was 22.5 percent.
  • In 2009, the percentage of working-age people without disabilities working full-time/full-year in the US was 57.0 percent.
  • The difference in the percentage working full-time/full-year between working-age people with and without disabilities was 34.5 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," 37.5 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 the United States in 2009

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 57.0 0.08 90,418,700 169,940 158,622,200 1,528,114
Any Disability 22.5 0.21 4,130,100 42,950 18,382,600 181,131
Visual 25.3 0.52 799,700 19,000 3,156,700 29,607
Hearing 37.5 0.53 1,436,500 25,440 3,829,400 39,569
Ambulatory 16.1 0.25 1,572,500 26,610 9,739,500 96,738
Cognitive 12.1 0.26 890,500 20,050 7,385,200 69,278
Self-Care 9.4 0.34 310,600 11,850 3,307,500 32,116
Independent Living 7.9 0.23 498,100 15,010 6,324,100 61,949
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Annual Earnings (Full-Time / Full-Year workers)

Earnings: with disability $35,000
Earnings: without disability $41,000

Introduction

This section examines the median annual earnings of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities who work full-time/full-year in the United States, using data from the 2009 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2009, the median earnings of working-age people with disabilities who worked full-time/full-year in the US was $35,000.
  • In 2009, the median earnings of working-age people without disabilities who worked full-time/full-year in the US was $41,000.
  • The difference in the median earnings between working-age people with and without disabilities who worked full-time/full-year was $6,000.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest annual earnings was for people with "Hearing Disability," $40,000. The lowest annual earnings was for people with "Cognitive Disability," $30,000.

Median annual earnings of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) who work full-time/full-year by disability status in the United States in 2009

Disability Type Median Earnings MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability $41,000 $110 90,419,000 876,222
Any Disability $35,000 $390 4,130,000 41,845
Visual $32,000 $850 800,000 7,591
Hearing $40,000 $740 1,436,000 15,223
Ambulatory $34,300 $580 1,573,000 15,734
Cognitive $30,000 $740 890,000 8,477
Self-Care $35,500 $1,460 311,000 2,965
Independent Living $31,500 $1,110 498,000 4,873
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Annual Household Income

Household Income: with disability $37,200
Household Income: without disability $60,000

Introduction

This section illustrates the median annual income† of households that include any working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in the United States, using data from the 2009 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2009, the median income of households that include any working-age people with disabilities in the US was $37,200.
  • In 2009, the median income of households that do not include any working-age people with disabilities in the US was $60,000.
  • The difference in the median income between households including and not including working-age people with disabilities was $22,800.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest median income was for households including persons with a "Hearing Disability," $48,000. The lowest median income was for households containing persons with a "Cognitive Disability" .

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

Median annual income† of households including any working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by disability status in the United States in 2009

Disability Type Median H.H. Income MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability $60,000 $190 79,747,000 798,887
Any Disability $37,200 350 14,718,000 155,378
Visual $33,600 760 2,723,000 27,260
Hearing $48,000 810 3,480,000 37,673
Ambulatory $33,000 430 8,300,000 87,361
Cognitive $30,100 490 5,831,000 60,667
Self-Care $31,600 740 2,773,000 29,373
Independent Living $31,800 540 5,137,000 55,446

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

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Poverty

Poverty: with disability 26.4%
Poverty: without disability 10.8%

Introduction

This section examines the poverty rates† of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in the United States, using data from the 2009 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2009, the poverty rate of working-age people with disabilities in the US was 26.4 percent.
  • In 2009, the poverty rate of working-age people without disabilities in the US was 10.8 percent†.
  • The difference in the poverty rate between working-age people with and without disabilities was 15.6 percentage points†.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest poverty rate was for people with "Cognitive Disability," 33.6 percent. The lowest poverty rate was for people with "Hearing Disability," 18.7 percent.

† Note: The Census Bureau does not calculate poverty status for those people living in military group quarters or college dormitories.
† Caution: Estimate based on small sample size (less than 40 individuals).

Poverty rates† of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by disability status in the United States in 2009

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 10.8 0.07 16,987,200 111,460 158,005,900 1,522,895
Any Disability 26.4 0.29 4,846,900 60,770 18,349,300 180,847
Visual 29.6 0.72 933,000 26,840 3,152,800 29,570
Hearing 18.7 0.56 716,200 23,520 3,821,000 39,501
Ambulatory 28.6 0.40 2,778,700 46,170 9,732,700 96,680
Cognitive 33.6 0.48 2,473,800 43,590 7,368,000 69,125
Self-Care 31.5 0.71 1,040,800 28,340 3,305,600 32,104
Independent Living 31.8 0.52 2,009,700 39,320 6,320,500 61,920

† 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 18.5%

Introduction

This section focuses on the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in the United States, using data from the 2009 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 2009, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities receiving Supplemental Security Income payments in the US was 18.5 percent.
  • In 2009, the number of working-age people with disabilities receiving Supplemental Security Income payments in the US was 3,402,800.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest percentage that received SSI was people with "Independent Living Disability," 30.1 percent. The lowest percentage that received SSI was people with "Hearing Disability," 11.2 percent.

Percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in the United States in 2009

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
Any Disability 18.5 0.19 3,402,800 39,030 18,382,600 181,131
Visual 18.0 0.46 568,300 16,030 3,156,700 29,607
Hearing 11.2 0.34 427,800 13,910 3,829,400 39,569
Ambulatory 20.5 0.28 1,993,100 29,940 9,739,500 96,738
Cognitive 27.1 0.35 2,002,900 30,010 7,385,200 69,278
Self-Care 27.9 0.52 924,100 20,420 3,307,500 32,116
Independent Living 30.1 0.39 1,903,800 29,270 6,324,100 61,949
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Education

High School Diploma/Equivalent

High School Only: with disability 34.0%
High School Only: without disability 26.1%

Introduction

This section explores the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities with only a high school diploma or equivalent in the United States, using data from the 2009 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2009, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities with only a high school diploma or equivalent in the US was 34.0 percent.
  • In 2009, the percentage of working-age people without disabilities with only a high school diploma or equivalent in the US was 26.1 percent.
  • The difference in the percentage with only a high school diploma or equivalent between working-age people with and without disabilities was 7.9 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," 35.2 percent. The lowest percentage with only a high school diploma or equivalent was for people with "Visual Disability," 32.1 percent.

Percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with only a high school diploma or equivalent by disability status in the US in 2009

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 26.1 0.09 41,339,500 146,840 158,622,200 1,528,114
Any Disability 34.0 0.27 6,258,600 60,790 18,382,600 181,131
Visual 32.1 0.65 1,012,800 24,670 3,156,700 29,607
Hearing 32.8 0.59 1,254,200 27,440 3,829,400 39,569
Ambulatory 34.2 0.37 3,329,800 44,560 9,739,500 96,738
Cognitive 35.0 0.43 2,583,200 39,290 7,385,200 69,278
Self-Care 33.7 0.64 1,115,000 25,880 3,307,500 32,116
Independent Living 35.2 0.47 2,225,100 36,490 6,324,100 61,949
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Education

Some College/Associate's Degree

Some College: with disability 29.9%
Some College: without disability 32.3%

Introduction

This section examines the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities with only some college or an Associate's degree in the United States, using data from the 2009 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2009, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities with only some college or an Associate's degree in the US was 29.9 percent.
  • In 2009, the percentage of working-age people without disabilities with only some college or an Associate's degree in the US was 32.3 percent.
  • The difference in the percentage with only some college or an Associate's degree between working-age people with and without disabilities was 2.4 percentage points.
  • Among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest percentage with only some college or an Associate's degree was for people with "Hearing Disability," 32.0 percent. The lowest percentage with only some college or Associate's degree was for people with "Independent Living Disability," 26.1 percent.

Percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with only some college or an Associate's degree by disability status in the United States in 2009

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 32.3 0.09 51,234,800 160,400 158,622,200 1,528,114
Any Disability 29.9 0.26 5,502,900 57,070 18,382,600 181,131
Visual 27.9 0.62 882,000 23,020 3,156,700 29,607
Hearing 32.0 0.59 1,224,500 27,110 3,829,400 39,569
Ambulatory 30.1 0.36 2,930,000 41,820 9,739,500 96,738
Cognitive 27.1 0.40 1,997,900 34,590 7,385,200 69,278
Self-Care 27.4 0.60 906,100 23,340 3,307,500 32,116
Independent Living 26.1 0.43 1,651,800 31,470 6,324,100 61,949
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Education

Bachelor's Degree or More

Bachelor's Degree or More: with disability 12.2%
Bachelor's Degree or More: without disability 30.8%

Introduction

This section presents the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities with a Bachelor's degree or more in the United States, using data from the 2009 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2009, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities with a Bachelor's degree or more in the US was 12.2 percent.
  • In 2009, the percentage of working-age people without disabilities with a Bachelor's degree or more in the US was 30.8 percent.
  • The difference in the percentage with a Bachelor's degree or more between working-age people with and without disabilities was 18.6 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," 15.6 percent. The lowest percentage with a Bachelor's degree or more was for people with "Cognitive Disability," 8.8 percent.

Percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with a Bachelor's degree or more by disability status in the United States in 2009

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 30.8 0.09 48,808,500 157,300 158,622,200 1,528,114
Any Disability 12.2 0.19 2,235,600 36,580 18,382,600 181,131
Visual 11.2 0.44 353,700 14,590 3,156,700 29,607
Hearing 15.6 0.46 598,200 18,970 3,829,400 39,569
Ambulatory 10.7 0.24 1,046,600 25,070 9,739,500 96,738
Cognitive 8.8 0.26 648,300 19,750 7,385,200 69,278
Self-Care 10.4 0.41 342,500 14,360 3,307,500 32,116
Independent Living 9.3 0.28 590,800 18,850 6,324,100 61,949
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Veterans Service-Connected Disability Rating

Veterans with a Service-Connected Disability 17.5%

Introduction

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

Quick Statistics

  • In 2009, there were 12,609,500 working-age civilian veterans in the US, of whom 2,201,900 had a VA service-connected disability.
  • In 2009, the percentage of working-age civilian veterans in the US with a VA service-connected disability was 17.5 percent.
  • In 2009, 447,800 working-age civilian veterans in the US had the most severe service-connected disability rating (70 percent or above).
  • In 2009, 20.3 percent of the working-age civilian veterans in the US who had a service connected disability had a service-connected disability rating of 70 percent or above.

Disability rating of working-age civilian veterans (ages 21 to 64) with a service-connected disability in the United States in 2009

Service–Connected Disability Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
Has a service-connected disability rating (0-100%) 17.5 0.21 2,201,900 29,040 12,609,500 132,558
Disability rating of veterans with a service connected-disability
0 percent 6.9 0.34 153,000 7,680 2,201,900 23,718
10 or 20 percent 35.6 0.63 783,700 17,370 2,201,900 23,718
30 or 40 percent 17.6 0.50 386,400 12,200 2,201,900 23,718
50 or 60 percent 10.7 0.41 235,900 9,540 2,201,900 23,718
70 percent or higher 20.3 0.53 447,800 13,130 2,201,900 23,718
Rating not reported 8.9 0.38 195,100 8,670 2,201,900 23,718
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Health Insurance Coverage

Health Coverage: with Disability 82.6%
Health Coverage: without Disability 79.5%

Introduction

This section examines the health insurance coverage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in the United States, using data from the 2009 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary.

Quick Statistics

  • In 2009, 82.6 percent of working-age people with disabilities in the US had some type of health insurance coverage.
  • In 2009, 79.5 percent of working-age people without disabilities in the US had some type of health insurance coverage.
  • The difference in the health insurance coverage rate between working-age people with and without disabilities was 3.1 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," 88.1 percent. The lowest health insurance coverage rate was for people with "Visual Disability," 78.2 percent.

Health Insurance Coverage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by disability status in the United States in 2009

Disability Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
No Disability 79.5 0.07 126,146,700 183,430 158,622,200 1,528,114
Any Disability 82.6 0.19 15,190,400 80,850 18,382,600 181,131
Visual 78.2 0.49 2,469,900 33,310 3,156,700 29,607
Hearing 83.7 0.40 3,206,000 37,900 3,829,400 39,569
Ambulatory 84.8 0.24 8,263,900 60,340 9,739,500 96,738
Cognitive 83.4 0.29 6,157,800 52,270 7,385,200 69,278
Self-Care 88.1 0.38 2,913,100 36,140 3,307,500 32,116
Independent Living 87.8 0.28 5,555,100 49,690 6,324,100 61,949
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Type of Health Insurance Coverage

Coverage through Employer/Union: with Disability 36.5%
Coverage through Employer/Union: without Disability 64.6%

Introduction

This section examines the type of health insurance coverage for non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in the United States, using data from the 2009 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 2009, 36.5 percent of working-age people with disabilities in the US reported health insurance coverage through a current or former employer or union (theirs or another family member).
  • In 2009, 64.6 percent of working-age people without disabilities in the US reported health insurance coverage through a current or former employer or union (theirs or another family member).
  • In 2009, 9.1 percent of working-age people with disabilities in the US reported purchasing health insurance coverage directly from an insurance company (by themselves or another family member).
  • In 2009, 23.3 percent of working-age people with disabilities in the US reported Medicare coverage and 34.9 percent reported Medicaid coverage (or other government-assistance plan for those with low incomes or a disability).

Type of Health Insurance Coverage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by disability status in the United States in 2009

Disability Status/ Insurance Type Percent MOE Number MOE Base Pop. Sample Size
Any Disability
Uninsured 17.4 0.19 3,192,200 37,820 18,382,600 181,131
Employer/Union 36.5 0.24 6,701,400 54,480 18,382,600 181,131
Purchased 9.1 0.14 1,669,300 27,420 18,382,600 181,131
Medicare 23.3 0.21 4,279,500 43,710 18,382,600 181,131
Medicaid 34.9 0.24 6,413,800 53,320 18,382,600 181,131
Military/VA 7.3 0.13 1,351,000 24,680 18,382,600 181,131
Indian Health Service 0.7 3.29 126,900 7,580 18,382,600 181,131
No Disability
Uninsured 20.5 0.07 32,475,500 114,660 158,622,200 1,528,114
Employer/Union 64.6 0.08 102,522,900 175,830 158,622,200 1,528,114
Purchased 10.2 0.05 16,173,900 83,290 158,622,200 1,528,114
Medicare 1.2 3.29 1,938,400 29,530 158,622,200 1,528,114
Medicaid 6.4 0.04 10,183,500 66,770 158,622,200 1,528,114
Military/VA 3.4 0.03 5,413,700 49,070 158,622,200 1,528,114
Indian Health Service 0.4 3.29 598,200 16,440 158,622,200 1,528,114
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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. were “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.

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 Employment and Disability 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 Employment and Disability 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

Employment and Disability Institute
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York 14853
Phone: 607.255.7727
Email: disabilitystatistics@cornell.edu
Web: www.disabilitystatistics.org




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