US Census Bureau News: Number of Americans With a Disability Reaches 54.4 Million

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[image: US Census Bureau News Release]

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2008*

- Bernstein

- Public Information Office

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CB08-185

- Detailed

Tables<http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/disability/sipp/disable05.html>

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*Number of Americans With a Disability Reaches 54.4 Million *

About one in five U.S. residents - 19 percent - reported some level of

disability in 2005, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report released today.

These 54.4 million Americans are roughly equal to the combined total

populations of California and Florida.

Both the number and percentage of people with disabilities were higher

than in 2002, the last time the Census Bureau collected such information. At

that time, 51.2 million, or 18 percent, reported a disability.

Among those with a disability, 35 million, or 12 percent of the

population, were classified as having a severe disability, according

to *Americans

With Disabilities: 2005

<http://www.census.gov/prod/2008pubs/p70-117.pdf>*[PDF].

Nearly half (46 percent) of people age 21 to 64 with a disability were

employed, compared with 84 percent of people in this age group without a

disability. Among those with disabilities, 31 percent with severe

disabilities and 75 percent with nonsevere disabilities were employed.

People with difficulty hearing were more likely to be employed than those

with difficulty seeing (59 percent compared with 41 percent).

A portion of people with disabilities — 11 million age 6 and older —

needed personal assistance with everyday activities. These activities

include such tasks as getting around inside the home, taking a bath or

shower, preparing meals and performing light housework.

Other important findings:

- Among people 15 and older, 7.8 million (3 percent) had difficulty

hearing a normal conversation, including 1 million being unable to hear at

all. Although not part of the definition of disability used in the report,

4.3 million people reported using a hearing aid.

- Roughly 3.3 million people, or 1 percent, age 15 and older used a

wheelchair or similar device, with 10.2 million, or 4 percent, using a cane,

crutches or walker.

- Nearly 7.8 million people age 15 and older had difficulty seeing words

or letters in ordinary newspaper print, including 1.8 million being

completely unable to see.

- More than 16 million people had difficulty with cognitive, mental or

emotional functioning. This included 8.4 million with one or more problems

that interfere with daily activities, such as frequently being depressed or

anxious, trouble getting along with others, trouble concentrating and

trouble coping with stress.

- The chances of having a disability increase with age: 18.1 million

people 65 and older, or 52 percent, had a disability. Of this number, 12.9

million, or 37 percent, had a severe disability. For people 80 and older,

the disability rate was 71 percent, with 56 percent having a severe

disability.

- Among people 16 to 64, 13.3 million, or 7 percent, reported difficulty

finding a job or remaining employed because of a health-related condition.

- Among people 25 to 64 with a severe disability, 27 percent were in

poverty, compared with 12 percent for people with a nonsevere disability and

9 percent for those without a disability.

- Median monthly earnings were $1,458 for people with a severe

disability, $2,250 for people with a nonsevere disability and $2,539 for

those with no disability.

- Parents reported that 228,000 children under age 3, or 2 percent, had a

disability. Specifically, they either had a developmental delay or

difficulty moving their arms or legs. In addition, there were 475,000

children 3 to 5 years, or 4 percent, with a disability, which meant they had

either a developmental delay or difficulty walking, running or playing.

- There were 4.7 million children 6 to 14, or 13 percent, with a

disability. The most prevalent type was difficulty doing regular schoolwork

(2.5 million, or 7 percent).

The Survey of Income and Program Participation produces national-level

estimates for the U.S. resident population and subgroups, and allows for the

observation of trends over time, particularly of selected characteristics

such as income, eligibility for and participation in transfer programs,

household and family composition, labor force behavior and other associated

events.