US Disability Statistics 2005

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2005 Census Data Regarding People With Disabilities -
Information Bulletin #186 (12/06)

Many disability advocates need up to date statistics by State or
county for people with disabilities. The 2005 American Community
Survey which can be found at http://factfinder.census.gov
and provides a lot of useful current data. Here is a national
summary of the data:

* Nearly 15% of the population 5 years and over (i.e., 40 million
people) have one or more disabilities.

* For the population 16-64 years, 12% of that population (i.e.,
nearly 23 million people) have one or more disabilities. Of all
people 16-64 years, nearly 3% have a sensory disability, more
than 7% have a physical disability, and 4.5% have a mental
disability. disability and show up in two categories.]

* For the population 16-64 years, only 37.5% of the people with a
disability are employed. That is, more than 14 million people
with disabilities who are unemployed.

* For the population 65 years and over, 40.5% of that population
(i.e., more than 14 million people) have one or more
disabilities. Of all people over 65years, 16% have a sensory
disability, 31% have physical disability, 11.5% have a mental
disability, nearly 10% have a self-care disability, and 16.6%
have a "go-outside-home disability."

* For the population 5 years and over who have one or more
disabilities, 21.1% are below the poverty level (which is about
$9,200 for a single person). That is, more than 8 million
persons have a disability and are below the poverty level. Of
all people 5 years and over who are below the poverty level,
18.7% have a sensory disability, 21% have a physical disability,
and 26.4% have a mental disability.

* As a comparison, for the population 5 years and over with no
disability, 11.3% are below the poverty level, while for the
same age group with one or more disabilities, 21.1% are below
the poverty level.

This data is available by State and county at the above Census
Bureau's web site.

Advocates should use this data to hold accountable public
officials with respect to "Annual Plans" vouchers] and "Consolidated Plans" . Make
sure the public officials note the correct percentage of persons
with disabilities who are below the poverty level. That
information informs (or should inform) their planning processes.
Without the correct data, people will disabilities will be
shortchanged.

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Source: Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continues