2023 Annual Disability Statistics Compendium
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Iconography
- Sample Table
- List of Tables
- Section 1: Population and Prevalence
- Section 2: Functioning
- Section 3: Employment
- Section 4: Industry and Occupation
- Section 5: Earnings
- Section 6: Poverty
- Section 7: Home Environment
- Section 8: Veterans
- Section 9: Health Insurance Coverage
- Section 10: Rural
- Section 11: Health
- Section 12: Social Security Administration Program
- Section 13: Education
- Section 14: Vocational Rehabilitation
- Section 15: Employment Policy
- Section 16: Voting and Registration
- Glossary
- About the Center
Thanks to the following individuals who have contributed to the success of this effort: Deb Brucker, Erin Dame, Kate Filanoski, Megan Henly, Kim Phillips, Romy Eberle, Toni Sumner-Beebe, and Karen Volle. Special thanks to the Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities (RTC:Rural) at the University of Montana for section 10 of the compendium. Special thanks to Dr. Lisa Schur and Dr. Douglas Kruse of Rutgers University for section 16 of the Compendium.
Funding for this publication is made possible by:
The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Statistics and Demographics (StatsRRTC), funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living, National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), grant number 90RTGE0001. The information developed by the StatsRRTC does not necessarily represent the policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government (Edgar, 75.620 (b)).
The StatsRRTC is a part of the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire. The Institute on Disability/UCED (IOD) was established in 1987 to provide a university-based focus for the improvement of knowledge, policies, and practices related to the lives of people with disabilities and their families and is New Hampshire’s University Center for Excellence in Disability (UCED). Located within the University of New Hampshire, the IOD is a federally designated center authorized by the Developmental Disabilities Act. Through innovative and interdisciplinary research, academic, service, and dissemination initiatives, the IOD builds local, state, and national capacities to respond to the needs of individuals with disabilities and their families.
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Copyright 2023. Institute on Disability. University of New Hampshire.
Introduction
Overview. Statistics are a powerful tool in research, policymaking, program evaluation, and advocacy. They are used to frame issues, monitor current circumstances and progress, judge the effectiveness of policies and programs, make projections about the future, and predict the costs of potential policy changes.
In the United States, disability statistics – information about the population with disabilities and about the government programs that serve people with disabilities - are often difficult to find. Numerous government agencies generate and publish disability statistics, and as a result, the data are scattered across various federal government documents and websites.
The Annual Disability Statistics Compendium, one of the five publications included in the Institute on Disability’s Annual Disability Statistics Collection – referred to as “the Collection” – is a summary of statistics about people with disabilities and about the government programs which serve them. The Compendium, available both in hard copy and online (at www.disabilitycompendium.org), presents key overall statistics on topics including the prevalence of disability, employment among persons with disabilities, rates of participation in disability income and social insurance programs, and other statistics.
Additional publications included in the Collection are:
- The Annual Disability Statistics Supplement covers 150 additional tables that analyze the content found in the Compendium by age, gender, and race/ethnicity.
- The State Reports for County-Level Data, which provide county-level prevalence, employment, and poverty statistics for each state.
- The Annual Report on People with Disabilities in America, which graphically represents trends of key statistics from the Compendium.
- Infographics in the Collection are curated through partnerships with organizations that specialize in the intersectionality of disability with other identities.
- The Annual Disability Statistics Standard Errors Companion, new to the Collection this year, details the standard errors of percent and standard errors of frequency for applicable tables in the Compendium.
All publications are available online at https://disabilitycompendium.org. The Annual Report on People with Disabilities in America and the infographics are also available in print format.
Notes on the data. The Compendium is a compilation of data from multiple sources, such as the Social Security Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration, and frequently, the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, among others. Many of these are updated annually, however some of them have not received an update in recent years. These include selected data from the Social Security Administration (SSA) on the State Assistance Programs for SSI Recipients (last updated in 2011) and the data from the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (last updated in 2016). We used the most recent data wherever available.
It is also of note that in many cases disability data are categorized into six main types - cognitive, ambulatory, hearing, vision, self-care, and independent living - and do not necessarily allow for granular analysis. For instance, the cognitive disability category does not specify the type of cognitive disability - such as whether the disability is related to a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or an Intellectual/Developmental Disorder (IDD).
Exploring other topics. The UNH Institute on Disability is dedicated to thorough research and has explored topics such as understanding the factors associated with the health disparities experienced by people with intellectual disabilities through the Health Disparities Project (https://iod.unh.edu/health-disparities-project) and career self-management through job crafting for people with physical and mild cognitive disabilities (https://iod.unh.edu/career-self-management-through-job-crafting-people-physical-mild-cognitive-disabilities).
Additional Resources. A companion Annual Report is available, providing graphical representations of key findings. The Annual Report highlights trend data related to specific tables in the Compendium and Supplement. The statistics presented here, as well as those in the Supplement and Annual Report, can be viewed and downloaded at https://disabilitycompendium.org/.
Help navigating any of the resources described here can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions section at https://disabilitycompendium.org/faq. Assistance interpreting and locating additional statistics is available via our toll-free number, 866-538-9521, or by email at disability.statistics@unh.edu. For more information about our research projects, please visit https://www.researchondisability.org.
Suggested Citation. Paul, S., Rogers, S., Bach, S., & Houtenville, A.J. (2023). Annual Disability Statistics Compendium: 2023. Durham, NH: University of New Hampshire, Institute on Disability.
Iconography
Icons have been added to facilitate navigation. These were created or derived based on the icons available at https://www.thenounproject.com. Derived icons are free from copyright restrictions under the Creative Commons Organization Public Domain Mark 1.0 (https://www.creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/) unless otherwise noted.
Sample Table
List of Tables
Section 1: Population and Prevalence
Section 2: Functioning
Section 3: Employment
Section 4: Industry and Occupation
Section 5: Earnings
Section 6: Poverty
Section 7: Home Environment
Section 8: Veterans
Section 9: Health Insurance Coverage
Section 10: Rural
Section 11: Health
Section 12: Social Security Administration Program
Section 13: Education
Section 14: Vocational Rehabilitation
Section 15: Employment Policy
Section 16: Voting and Registration
Section 1: Population and Prevalence
This section presents statistics on the United States resident population, projected population, and people with disabilities. The prevalence statistics describe disability frequency by disability type. The principal source of these data is the U.S. Census Bureau, specifically the American Community Survey. For these tables, statistics for people with disabilities (disability status or disability type) are based on having responded ‘yes’ to a series of questions within the American Community Survey (see the glossary for more details).
Tables
Table 1.1: In 2021, the resident population in the United States was estimated to be 331,893,745 individuals, up from 329,504,815 individuals in 2020. The state with the largest population in 2021 was California, with 39,237,836 individuals. The state with the smallest population in 2021 was Wyoming, with 578,803 individuals.
Table 1.2: The projected 2030 resident population in the United States is 363,584,435 individuals, up from 349,439,199 individuals in 2025 and 335,804,546 individuals in 2020. The state with the largest projected population in 2030 is California, with 46,444,861 individuals. The geography with the smallest projected population in 2030 is the District of Columbia, with 433,414 individuals.
Table 1.3: Based on data from the American Community Survey, in 2021 there were 326,942,778 individuals living in the community, 42,601,999 of whom were individuals with disabilities—13.0 percent. The state with the largest number of individuals with disabilities was California, with 4,342,499 individuals, while the state with the smallest number of individuals with disabilities was Wyoming, with 77,135 individuals.
Table 1.4: In 2021, there were 42,601,999 individuals living in the community with disabilities, 11,632,358 of whom were individuals with a hearing disability—27.3 percent. For this disability type, Wyoming had the highest percentage, 37.4 percent, while the District of Columbia had the lowest percentage, 17.9 percent.
Table 1.5: In 2021, there were 42,601,999 individuals living in the community with disabilities, 8,086,147 of whom were individuals with a vision disability—19.0 percent. For this disability type, Mississippi had the highest percentage, 24.1 percent, while Maine had the lowest percentage, 13.2 percent.
Table 1.6: In 2021, there were 42,601,999 individuals living in the community with disabilities, 16,599,667 of whom were individuals with a cognitive disability—39.0 percent. For this disability type, Utah had the highest percentage, 45.1 percent, while North Dakota had the lowest percentage, 32.4 percent.
Table 1.7: In 2021, there were 42,601,999 individuals living in the community with disabilities, 20,448,062 of whom were individuals with an ambulatory disability—48.0 percent. For this disability type, Alabama had the highest percentage, 53.8 percent, while Utah had the lowest percentage, 37.7 percent.
Table 1.8: In 2021, there were 42,601,999 individuals living in the community with disabilities, 7,834,854 of whom were individuals with a self-care disability—18.4 percent. For this disability type, California had the highest percentage, 22.4 percent, while North Dakota had the lowest percentage, 12.3 percent.
Table 1.9: In 2021, there were 42,601,999 individuals living in the community with disabilities, 15,145,689 of whom were individuals with an independent living disability—35.6 percent. For this disability type, New York had the highest percentage, 41.3 percent, while North Dakota had the lowest percentage, 24.1 percent.
Section 2: Functioning
This section expands upon Section 1: Population and Prevalence to provide more details about prevalence by disability types. It presents the prevalence of people with multiple disability types, specifically those who have a functional limitation (vision, hearing, ambulatory, or cognitive disabilities) as well as an activity of daily living disability (self-care disabilities) and/or an instrumental activity of daily living disability (independent living disabilities). Self-care disabilities are defined as difficulties with activities that promote well-being and health, such as bathing or dressing. Independent living disabilities are defined as difficulties with doing activities alone that promote self-determination and self-respect, such as visiting a doctor's office or shopping. Activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living can be proxies for whether the environment is enabling or disabling. For example, a person with vision disabilities may identify as also having self-care disabilities in an unsupportive environment but may not report a self-care disabilities in an environment with adequate accommodations. Self-care and independent living disabilities can occur at the same time or exclusive of one another (e.g., an individual can have difficulties bathing but is able to go shopping alone).
The source of these data is the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey. Statistics for people with disabilities (disability status or disability type) are based on having responded ‘yes’ to a series of questions within the American Community Survey (see the glossary for more details). Please note that this section focuses on people ages 18-64.
Tables
Table 2.1: In 2021, in the United States an estimated 635,710 civilians ages 18-64 living in the community had both vision disabilities and self-care disabilities (or 15.1 percent). 1,140,247 civilians ages 18-64 living in the community had both vision disabilities and independent living disabilities (or 27.1 percent).
Table 2.2: In 2021, in the United States an estimated 544,350 civilians ages 18-64 living in the community had vision disabilities and both self-care disabilities and independent living disabilities (or 12.9 percent). 91,360 people ages 18-64 with vision disabilities had self-care disabilities but not independent living disabilities (or 2.1 percent). 595,897 people ages 18-64 with vision disabilities had independent living disabilities but not self-care disabilities (or 14.1 percent).
Table 2.3: In 2021, in the United States an estimated 454,504 civilians ages 18-64 living in the community had both hearing disabilities and self-care disabilities (or 11.4 percent). Also, 760,453 civilians ages 18-64 living in the community had both vision disabilities and independent living disabilities (or 19.0 percent).
Table 2.4: In 2021, in the United States an estimated 373,101 civilians ages 18-64 living in the community had hearing disabilities as well as both self-care disabilities and independent living disabilities (or 9.3 percent). 81,403 people ages 18-64 with hearing disabilities had self-care disabilities but not independent living disabilities (or 2.0 percent). 387,352 people ages 18-64 with hearing disabilities had independent living disabilities but not self-care disabilities (or 9.7 percent).
Table 2.5: In 2021, in the United States an estimated 2,760,671 civilians ages 18-64 living in the community had both ambulatory disabilities and self-care disabilities (or 30.9 percent). 3,920,012 civilians ages 18-64 living in the community had both ambulatory disabilities and independent living disabilities (or 43.8 percent).
Table 2.6: In 2021, in the United States an estimated 2,226,042 civilians ages 18-64 living in the community had ambulatory disabilities as well as both self-care disabilities and independent living disabilities (or 24.9 percent). 534,629 people ages 18-64 with ambulatory disabilities had self-care disabilities but not independent living disabilities (or 5.9 percent). 1,693,970 people ages 18-64 with ambulatory disabilities had independent living disabilities but not self-care disabilities (or 18.9 percent).
Table 2.7: In 2021, in the United States an estimated 1,824,641 civilians ages 18-64 living in the community had both cognitive disabilities and self-care disabilities (or 18.7 percent). 4,514,815 civilians ages 18-64 living in the community had both cognitive disabilities and independent living disabilities (or 46.2 percent).
Table 2.8: In 2021, in the United States an estimated 1,621,872 civilians ages 18-64 living in the community had cognitive disabilities as well as both self-care disabilities and independent living disabilities (or 16.6 percent). 202,769 people ages 18-64 with cognitive disabilities had self-care disabilities but not independent living disabilities (or 2.0 percent). 2,892,943 people ages 18-64 with cognitive disabilities had independent living disabilities but not self-care disabilities (or 29.6 percent).
Section 3: Employment
This section presents statistics on employment in the United States. Data are presented for people with disabilities, people without disabilities, and the difference in percentage employed (employment gap) between these two populations.
The source of these data is the American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau). For these tables, statistics for people with disabilities (disability status or disability type) are based on having responded ‘yes’ to a series of questions within the American Community Survey. The definition for employment status in the American Community Survey can be found in the glossary.
Tables
Tables 3.1 and 3.2: In 2021, of the 21,375,164 individuals with disabilities ages 18-64 years living in the community, 8,705,513 individuals were employed—40.7 percent. In contrast, of the 177,527,241 individuals without disabilities ages 18-64 years living in the community, 135,973,591 individuals were employed—76.6 percent. The percentage of people with disabilities employed was highest in North Dakota (58.1 percent) and lowest in West Virginia (29.7 percent).
Table 3.3: In 2021, of the 3,986,839 individuals with hearing disabilities ages 18-64 years living in the community, 2,199,414 individuals were employed—55.1 percent. The percentage of people with hearing disabilities employed was highest in North Dakota (77.2 percent) and lowest in Louisiana (38.4 percent).
Table 3.4: In 2021, of the 4,198,571 individuals with vision disabilities ages 18-64 years living in the community, 2,013,445 individuals were employed—47.9 percent. The percentage of people with vision disabilities employed was highest in North Dakota (67.8 percent) and lowest in West Virginia (28.8 percent).
Table 3.5: In 2021, of the 9,753,745 individuals with cognitive disabilities ages 18-64 years living in the community, 3,282,104 individuals were employed—33.6 percent. The percentage of people with cognitive disabilities employed was highest in North Dakota (52.6 percent) and lowest in Mississippi (22.2 percent).
Table 3.6: In 2021, of the 8,931,748 individuals with ambulatory disabilities ages 18-64 years living in the community, 2,358,780 individuals were employed—26.4 percent. The percentage of people with ambulatory disabilities employed was highest in Utah (41.0 percent) and lowest in West Virginia (18.2 percent).
Table 3.7: In 2021, of the 3,348,374 individuals with self-care disabilities ages 18-64 years living in the community, 528,149 individuals were employed—15.7 percent. The percentage of people with self-care disabilities employed was highest in North Dakota (30.6 percent) and lowest in Vermont (7.6 percent).
Table 3.8: In 2021, of the 7,550,579 individuals with independent living disabilities ages 18-64 years living in the community, 1,526,857 individuals were employed—20.2 percent. The percentage of people with independent living disabilities employed was highest in Nebraska (34.3 percent) and lowest in Mississippi (12.9 percent).
Table 3.9: In 2021, 40.7 percent of people with disabilities ages 18-64 years living in the community were employed, while 76.6 percent of people without disabilities ages 18-64 years living in the community were employed—a difference of 35.9 percentage points. The difference was greatest in Maine (44.3 percentage points) and smallest in North Dakota (25.0 percentage points).
Section 4: Industry and Occupation
This section presents statistics on the industries and occupations that employ people in the United States. Statistics are presented for the United States overall and by state for the top four most prevalent industries and occupations among people with disabilities. Industry describes the kind of business conducted by a person’s employing organization. Occupation describes the kind of work a person does on the job. Statistics for people with disabilities (disability status or disability type) are based on having responded ‘yes’ to a series of questions within the American Community Survey, conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau (see the glossary for more details).
Data on occupation and industry are collected for the American Community Survey respondent’s current primary job or the most recent job for people who are not employed but have worked in the last 5 years. American Community Survey respondents provide written responses describing their kind of business or industry. An automated, standardized coding procedure categorizes responses which are then reviewed by trained staff for accuracy. Industries are categorized based on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), published by the Office of Management and Budget. Occupations are categorized based on the Standard Occupational (SOC) Manual, also published by the Office of Management and Budget. American Community Survey data on industry and occupation describe the industrial composition and occupational experiences of the American labor force and are used to formulate employment policy and programs, develop career trainings, provide information on the occupational skills of the labor force, and measure compliance with antidiscrimination policies.
Tables
Table 4.1: In 2021 in the United States, the industry with the greatest number of people with disabilities was Health Care and Social Assistance with 1,283,141 people (14.7 percent).
Table 4.2: In 2021 in the United States, the occupational group with the greatest number of people with disabilities was [c3635:value:max:2:1] with [c3635:value:max:2] people ([c3635:value:max:3] percent).
Table 4.3: In 2021, the state with the greatest number of people with disabilities employed in the education services industry was Texas with 72,199 people. The state with the greatest percentage of people with disabilities employed in the education services industry was Vermont (12.1 percent).
Table 4.4: In 2021, the state with the greatest number of people with disabilities employed in the manufacturing industry was Texas with 70,631 people. The state with the greatest percentage of people with disabilities employed in the manufacturing industry was Indiana (20.0 percent).
Table 4.5: In 2021, the state with the greatest number of people with disabilities employed in the retail trade industry was Texas with 104,888 people. The state with the greatest percentage of people with disabilities employed in the retail trade industry was Hawaii and Wyoming (19.4 percent).
Table 4.6: In 2021, the state with the greatest number of people with disabilities employed in the health care and social assistance industry was California with 119,573 people. The state with the greatest percentage of people with disabilities employed in the health care and social assistance industry was Maine (22.8 percent).
Table 4.7: In 2021, the state with the greatest number of people with disabilities employed in office and administrative support occupations was Texas with 107,193 people. The state with the greatest percentage of people with disabilities employed in office and administrative support occupations was Alaska and Wyoming (20.5 percent).
Table 4.8: In 2021, the state with the greatest number of people with disabilities employed in sales and related occupations was Texas with 77,649 people. The state with the greatest percentage of people with disabilities employed in sales and related occupations was West Virginia (12.3 percent).
Table 4.9: In 2021, the state with the greatest number of people with disabilities employed in transportation and material moving occupations was Texas with 76,650 people. The state with the greatest percentage of people with disabilities employed in transportation and material moving occupations was Ohio (12.4 percent).
Table 4.10: In 2021, the state with the greatest number of people with disabilities employed in management occupations was Texas with 76,520 people. The state with the greatest percentage of people with disabilities employed in management occupations was Vermont (16.4 percent).
Section 5: Earnings
This section presents statistics on earnings in the United States by disability status. The statistics describe the earnings of full-time, full-year workers with and without disabilities in the past 12 months, as well as the difference (earnings gap) between these two populations. A person is considered a full-time, full-year worker if they worked 35 hours or more per week for 50 to 52 weeks in the past 12 months. Individuals who did not work in the last 12 months or who worked less than full-time, full-year are not included in these statistics. The principal source of these data is the U.S. Census Bureau, specifically the American Community Survey. Statistics for people with disabilities (disability status) are based on having responded ‘yes’ to a series of questions within the American Community Survey (see the glossary for more details). In addition, in the American Community Survey people are asked about their total income for the past 12 months. This information is used to calculate earnings. When presenting earnings data, the median earnings (or middle value) is used rather than mean (average) earnings because income tends to be heavily skewed. Because outlier cases with extremely high incomes do not impact the median the way that they impact the mean, the median is generally the preferred statistic for summarizing income.
Tables
Table 5.1: In 2021, for full-time, full-year workers with disabilities ages 18-64 years living in the community, median earnings were $43,228. In contrast, among full-time, full-year workers without disabilities ages 18-64 years living in the community, median earnings were $51,413—an earnings gap of $8,185. This earnings gap is smallest (meaning the difference in earnings of people with disabilities and the earnings of people without disabilities is the lowest) in Hawaii ($-2,639) and largest (meaning the difference in earnings of people with disabilities and the earnings of people without disabilities is the highest) in the District of Columbia ($20,792).
Section 6: Poverty
This section presents statistics on poverty in the United States. The statistics describe the number and percentage of people with and without disabilities who experience poverty as well as the difference between the poverty rates of people with and without disabilities (poverty gap). The principal source of these data is the American Community Survey. For these tables, statistics for people with disabilities (disability status) are based on having responded ‘yes’ to a series of questions within the American Community Survey (see the glossary for details). Poverty is defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget and set as a dollar threshold by the U.S. Census Bureau (see the glossary for details).
Tables
Tables 6.1 and 6.2: In 2021, of the 21,375,164 individuals with disabilities ages 18-64 years who were living in the community, 5,420,980 individuals lived in poverty—a poverty rate of 25.4 percent. In contrast, of the 177,527,241 individuals without disabilities ages 18-64 years living in the community, 21,009,430 individuals lived in poverty—a poverty rate of 11.8 percent. The poverty rate for people with disabilities was highest in the District of Columbia (37.8 percent) and lowest in New Hampshire (18.6 percent).
Table 6.3: In 2021, the poverty rate of individuals with disabilities ages 18-64 years living in the community was 25.4 percent, while the poverty rate of individuals without disabilities ages 18-64 years living in the community was 11.8 percent—a difference of 13.6 percentage points. The poverty gap was smallest in Idaho (a difference of 8.4 percentage points) and greatest in Maine (a difference of 23.2 percentage points).
Section 7: Home Environment
This section presents statistics on the home environment for people with and without disabilities in the United States. The home environment includes factors such as housing quality, age of home (i.e., year built), and housing type (i.e., house, apartment, mobile homes). More specifically, the housing quality features that are presented here include: lacking a complete kitchen, lacking complete plumbing, overcrowding (two or more people living in home per bedroom), and cost burden (thirty percent or more of household income spent on housing costs). The age of home statistic presented is whether a home was built in 1990 or after (the year the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law). Statistics for people with disabilities (disability status or disability type) are based on having responded ‘yes’ to a series of questions within the American Community Survey (see the glossary for more details).
The poor housing quality measure presented in this section identifies people who are experiencing two of four possible difficulties related to housing quality described above. This measure is part of a larger multidimensional deprivation index that is considered a measure of poverty. Multidimensional deprivation is a more holistic, comprehensive view of well-being than traditional income-based poverty measures. It includes people who may be facing difficulties or hardships who may not be income poor. The housing quality element of deprivation captures people experiencing difficulties with physical space and security within their own home. Our estimates were based on reports on multidimensional deprivation published by researchers at the Census Bureau, including:
Glassman, Brian, “Multidimensional Deprivation in the United States: 2017," American Community Survey Reports, ACS-40, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC, 2019.
This report on multidimensional deprivation can be found online: https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2019/demo/acs-40.pdf.
Tables
Table 7.1: In 2021, the state with the greatest number of people with disabilities living in homes without a complete kitchen was California with 27,612 people. The state with the greatest percentage of people with disabilities living in homes without a complete kitchen was Alaska (3.7 percent).
Table 7.2: In 2021, the state with the greatest number of people with disabilities living in homes without complete plumbing was Texas with 19,332 people. The state with the greatest percentage of people with disabilities living in homes without complete plumbing was Alaska (5.4 percent).
Table 7.3: In 2021, the state with the greatest number of people with disabilities living in overcrowded homes was California with 208,779 people. The greatest percentage of people with disabilities living in overcrowded homes was in California (10.3 percent).
Table 7.4: In 2021, the state with the greatest number of people with disabilities experiencing housing cost burden was California with 870,460 people. The state with the greatest percentage of people with disabilities experiencing housing cost burden was Hawaii and Vermont (46.6 percent).
Table 7.5: In 2021, the state with the greatest number of people with disabilities experiencing poor housing quality was California with 431,398 people. The state with the greatest percentage of people with disabilities experiencing poor housing quality was the District of Columbia (24.5 percent).
Table 7.6: In 2021, the state with the greatest number of people with disabilities living in homes built in 1990 or later was Texas with 811,704 people. The state with the greatest percentage of people with disabilities living in homes built in 1990 or later was Nevada (55.1 percent).
Table 7.7: In 2021, the state with the greatest number of people with disabilities living in houses (not apartments or mobile homes) was California with 1,328,673 people. The state with the greatest percentage of people with disabilities living in houses (not apartments or mobile homes) was Delaware (75.5 percent).
Table 7.8: In 2021, the state with the greatest number of people with disabilities living in apartments (not houses or mobile homes) was California with 595,569 people. The state with the greatest percentage of people with disabilities living in apartments (not houses or mobile homes) was the District of Columbia (67.4 percent).
Table 7.9: In 2021, the state with the greatest number of people with disabilities living in mobile homes (not houses or apartments) was Texas with 168,973 people. The state with the greatest percentage of people with disabilities living in mobile homes was South Carolina (21.2 percent).
Section 8: Veterans
This section presents statistics on veterans in the United States. Specifically, the data address service-connected disability rating; the prevalence of disabilities in the veteran population; the portion of the veteran population that experiences poverty, including the difference between the poverty rates of veterans with and without disabilities (poverty gap), by disability status. The principal sources of these data are the U.S. Census Bureau, specifically the American Community Survey and the Veterans Benefits Administration’s Annual Benefits Report. For these tables, statistics for people with disabilities (disability status) are based on having responded ‘yes’ to a series of questions within the American Community Survey (see the glossary for more details). Poverty is defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget and set as a dollar threshold by the U.S. Census Bureau in all sources (see the glossary for more details).
Tables
Table 8.1: In 2021, according to the American Community Survey, 1,956,344 individuals ages 18 and over living in the community reported having a military service-connected disability rating of 70 percent or more.
Table 8.2: In 2021, there were 8,325,505 civilian veterans ages 18-64 years living in the community, 1,631,206 of which were individuals with disabilities, a prevalence rate of 19.6 percent. Vermont had the lowest prevalence rate (10.2 percent) while Oklahoma had the highest prevalence rate (27.2 percent) of disability among their veteran population.
Tables 8.3 and 8.4: In 2021, of the 1,631,206 civilian veterans with disabilities ages 18-64 years living in the community, 242,953 individuals lived in poverty, a poverty rate of 14.9 percent. In contrast, of the 6,694,299 civilian veterans without disabilities ages 18-64 years living in the community, 434,421 civilian veterans lived in poverty, a poverty rate of 6.5 percent. The poverty rate for civilian veterans with disabilities was highest in the District of Columbia (41.7 percent) and lowest in Alaska (5.1 percent).
Table 8.5: In 2021, the poverty rate of civilian veterans with disabilities ages 18-64 years living in the community was 14.9 percent, while the poverty rate of individuals without disabilities ages 18-64 years living in the community was 6.5 percent, a poverty gap of 8.5 percentage points. The poverty gap was smallest in Alaska (-0.7 percentage points) and greatest in the District of Columbia (30.2 percentage points).
Table 8.6: In the Federal Fiscal Year 2020, the United States spent a total of $104,566,124 thousand on compensation and pension benefits paid to disabled veterans.
Section 9: Health Insurance Coverage
This section presents statistics on health insurance coverage in the United States, focusing on coverage of people with disabilities. This includes statistics concerning Medicaid and Medicare, the government-run health care programs in the United States. The data address the percentage of people with and without disabilities who have some sort of health insurance coverage as well as the difference in percent health insurance coverage between people with and without disabilities (health insurance coverage gap). The data also present the type of health insurance coverage possessed by people with disabilities (public or private). The principal source of these data is the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey. Statistics for people with disabilities (disability status) are based on having responded ‘yes’ to a series of questions within the American Community Survey (see the glossary for more details). People receiving disability benefits from Social Security usually automatically qualify for Medicaid and Medicare, although some states have more restrictive eligibility criteria.
Tables
Table 9.1: In 2021, 89.9 percent of individuals with disabilities ages 18-64 years living in the community had health insurance coverage. In contrast, 87.7 percent of individuals without disabilities ages 18-64 years living in the community had health insurance coverage—a health insurance coverage gap between those with and without disabilities of 2.2 percentage points. The health insurance gap ranges from 6.8 percentage points in New Mexico to -2.3 percentage points in the District of Columbia.
Table 9.2: In 2021, 48.3 percent of individuals with disabilities ages 18-64 years living in the community had private health insurance, 52.3 percent had public health insurance (some had both), while 10.1 percent did not have health insurance. Vermont (1.8 percent) had the smallest percentage of people with disabilities without health insurance coverage. Texas (20.0 percent) had the largest percentage of people with disabilities without health insurance coverage.
Section 10: Rural
Sponsored by The Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities (RTC:Rural) at the Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities at the University of Montana.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) separates U.S. counties into metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties based on population thresholds and commuting patterns (shown in the map below). Counties are classified metropolitan if they contain an urban core of at least 50,000 people or if a significant proportion of the population commutes into an adjacent urban core. Non-metropolitan counties can be further classified into micropolitan and noncore counties, with micropolitan counties having an urban core of 10,000 to 50,000 people and noncore counties being those that remain. Although metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore designations do not fully describe the varied conditions across place, they suggest that infrastructure and associated economic and demographic factors contribute to the rural experience.
Map Description: A map showing the distribution of metropolitan, micropolitan and noncore counties across the US (including Puerto Rico). There are 1,251 metropolitan counties which are shown in yellow. There are fewer micropolitan counties, 665, and these are shown in light green. More counties are noncore, the most "rural", with 1,305 dark green counties.
Contextual differences between metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties shape both the experiences and outcomes of people with disabilities and often result in inequities across place. As counties become more rural (non-metropolitan), a wide range of disparities grow.
Data representative of the U.S. population are used to inform the development of policies and programs at the local, state, and national levels. Available data on rural disability, however, is limited and frequently imprecise. For instance, the American Community Survey (ACS) uses a continuous data collection timeline, where new data are added every month to generate a sample equal to 12.5% of the total population every five years. The continuous nature of ACS data collection and resulting sample size affects the availability and validity of rural data. For counties with populations of 65,000 or less, raw data must be aggregated across five years before it is released. This constitutes 74% percent of U.S. counties. Due to a change in disability indicator questions in 2008, the first 5-year data file with rural disability indicators was not available until December 2013. To avoid overlapping data collection periods, it wasn’t until 2018 that rural outcomes could be compared over time using ACS data.
Additionally, analyses of rural data are limited because of smaller sample sizes and high margins of error (MOE). This is a particular problem for examining rural subgroup data such as rural disability rates by race. High MOE make data less reliable for smaller geographies and necessitates that researchers aggregate data across counties or years to increase precision. Because of these types of limitations, there is a need to expand the availability and quality of rural data for policy and program development, using a tailored approach.
The goal of providing rural annual and trend data in collaboration with the StatsRRTC is to improve access to accurate and current data about the disability experience in rural communities. These data can be used by advocates, service providers, researchers, and policy makers for making informed arguments, developing sound decisions, building hypotheses, and understanding policy impacts. This effort will raise awareness of how rural people with disabilities are similar to and different from their urban counterparts. It will allow stakeholders to more easily access a wide range of information about the disability experience in rural communities to make informed decisions about programs and policies likely to benefit rural people with disabilities.
Methods
The Rural Addendum provides data on key sociodemographic characteristics for people with and without disabilities residing in metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore counties. Data come from the 2016-2020 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year summary files. To calculate metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore populations, we first classified county-level data based on 2020 OMB classifications. We then aggregated populations across these metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore designations to explore geographic differences. For all tables, disability status is based on having responded “yes” to at least one of a series of six disability indicator questions in the ACS. The glossary contains the questions used in the ACS to arrive at the disability estimates. Note that all table estimates exclude persons living in institutions and active duty military personnel. Some questions are asked only of people of certain ages.
Tables
Table 10.1 reports on the prevalence of disability in the United States. For the 5-year period from 2016-2020, the estimated rate of disability was 12.1% for metropolitan, 16% for micropolitan, and 17.8% for noncore counties. Estimated rates were higher in noncore counties for all reported disabilities, including hearing, vision, cognitive, ambulatory, self-care, and independent living disabilities.
Tables 10.2a & 10.2b provide demographic information for people with and without disabilities living in metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore counties. Trends in the data show that as counties become more rural there are higher rates of White and AIAN populations, and lower rates of Asian, NHPI, multi-racial, and Hispanic populations for both people with and without disabilities. Rates of African American/Black people are higher in metropolitan areas and lower in micropolitan and noncore counties.
Table 10.3 compares employment and work experience rates for people with and without disabilities. As counties become more rural, the employment rate decreases and the “not in the labor force” rate increases for people with and without disabilities. Notably, 63.5% of the population with disability living in noncore counties was not in the labor force, and 60.9% did not work in the past 12 months.
Table 10.4 shows poverty rates by age and median earnings for people with and without disabilities. Poverty rates for people with and without disability increase for all age groups as counties become more rural. Poverty rates are most pronounced for individuals living in noncore counties, where 33.2% of the population less than 18 years, 30% of the population 18-64 years, and 14% of the population 65 years and older lives at or below the poverty level. When comparing median earnings, people with disabilities receive significantly less income in metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore counties when compared to those without disabilities. The median earnings difference between people with and without disabilities, however, is smallest in noncore counties.
Table 10.5 shows health insurance coverage and type for people with and without disabilities. As places become more rural, people with and without disability report lower rates of insurance coverage. For all geography (metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore), people with disabilities report lower rates of private insurance, and higher rates of public insurance, relative to those without disabilities.
Map Description
Reported rates of disability vary across the country with a notable difference between rates in urban and rural counties. In aggregate, we see higher rates in rural counties across a variety of indicators (see table 10.1). However, rural disability rates are not consistent and clear geographic and regional patterns emerge when exploring these data on a map. The map above shows disability rates at the county level for every county in the United States. Rates are classified by quartile with lower rates shown in lighter purple and higher rates in darker purple. There are clear geographic clusters of both high and low rates of disability throughout the U.S.
There are higher rates of reported disability throughout the rural Southern United States in Appalachia, Southern Missouri and Arkansas, along the border of Mississippi and Alabama and across New Mexico into Southern Colorado. Clusters of high rates of reported disability can also be found in rural areas of Maine, Michigan, Idaho, California and Oregon. Finally, there are high rates of reported disability throughout Puerto Rico.
There is also a noticeable regional pattern where reported rates of disability are lowest. States in the North and Middle Atlantic region as well as across the Midwest, Great Plains and Rocky Mountain West (with the exception of Northern Idaho) all have lower rates of reported disability.
The forces underlying these geographic clusters are complex. Local level social, economic and environmental factors all contribute to people’s experience of disability. Communities and regions experiencing persistent and historical poverty, extractive industry dependence and other forms of social, spatial, and economic marginalization tend to report higher levels of disability. Improving our understanding of how and why rates of disability vary across rural America is valuable for developing effective policies and programs to serve rural people with disabilities.
For more information check out the RTC:Rural’s Disability Counts webpage where you can view and download additional maps for both the nation and states and access disability data by county using our data lookup tool. http://resources.ruralinstitute.umt.edu/resource/disability-counts/
Section 11: Health
This section presents statistics on health in the United States, especially the health of people with disabilities. The data address the prevalence of disabilities, health behaviors such as smoking, obesity, and binge drinking by disability status. These statistics were generated by the authors using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey. See the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Disability and Health Data System for additional information on the health of the population with disabilities. Statistics for people with disabilities (disability status) are based on having responded ‘yes’ to a series of questions within the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (see glossary for greater detail). The data for the state of Florida is not available for 2021.
Tables
Table 11.1: In 2021, there were 228,626,415 individuals ages 18 and over living in the community, and 64,815,278 had a disability (28.3 percent). The state with the largest number of individuals with disabilities was California, with 7,623,839 individuals with disabilities, while the state with the smallest number was the District of Columbia, with 116,021 individuals with disabilities.
Table 11.2: In 2021, the percent of individuals ages 18 years and over adults with disabilities who smoke was 20.0 percent while for adults without disabilities it was 10.9 percent. Highest percentage of adults with disabilities who smoke was in Arkansas (29.8) percent and lowest percentage to smoke was in Utah (12.7) percent.
Table 11.3: In 2021, the percent of individuals ages 18 years and over adults with disabilities who were obese was 41.5 percent while for adults without disabilities it was 29.7 percent. Highest percentage of adults with disabilities who were obese was in Kentucky (47.1) percent and lowest percentage to be obese was in Hawaii (29.8) percent.
Table 11.4: In 2021, the percentage of individuals ages 18 years and over adults with disabilities to binge drink was 12.9 percent while for adults without disabilities, it was 16.5 percent. Highest percentage of adults with disabilities to binge drink was in North Dakota (18.4) percent and lowest percentage to binge drink was in West Virginia (8.7) percent.
Section 12: Social Security Administration Program
This section presents statistics on Social Security Administration Programs in the United States. Specifically, these data concern the number of beneficiaries served by, and the amount spent on, Social Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance, by disability status. A table also addresses those who have concurrent benefits (are enrolled in both programs), by disability status. The principal source of this data is the Social Security Administration, specifically the 2021 Annual Statistical Supplement. The 2021 Annual Statistical Supplement provides information about programs administrated by the Social Security Administration. In part, data in the Supplement provide a basis for research and policy recommendations for the programs.
In this section, disability status under Social Security is based on the ability to work. A person is considered disabled if they cannot do the work they did before; cannot adjust to other work because of a medical condition; and disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or result in death. Definitions for aged (65 and older), blindness (statutory blindness), disabled adult child(ren), and disabled widow(er)s are specific to the Social Security Administration and Social Security Act and can be found on the Social Security Administration website.
Tables
Table 12.1: In December 2021, of the 7,694,873 individuals who received federally administered payments from the Supplemental Security Income program, 1,115,565 were eligible based on being 65 years or older, 65,577 were eligible based on blindness, and 6,513,731 were eligible based on disability status.
Table 12.2: In December 2021, of the $55,529,933 thousand of federally administered payments from the Supplemental Security Income program, $6,097,981 thousand was spent on individuals eligible based on being ages 65 years or older, $479,448 thousand was spent on individuals eligible based on blindness, and $48,952,507 thousand was spent on individuals eligible based on disability status.
Table 12.3: In December 2021, of the 1,037,924 individuals under age 18 who received federally administered payments from the Supplemental Security Income program, 5,331 were eligible based on blindness, and 1,028,872 were eligible based on disability status.
Table 12.4: In December 2021, of the 526,140 individuals who received federally administered payments from Supplemental Security Income program, 110,292 were under age 18, 320,393 were ages 18-64 years, and 95,455 were ages 65 and older.
Table 12.5a: In December 2021, of the 9,064,421 individuals who were beneficiaries under the Social Security Disability Insurance program, 7,728,023 were disabled workers, 220,393 were disabled widow(er)s, and 1,116,005 were disabled adult children.
Tables 12.5b–12.5g: In December 2021, of the 9,064,421 individuals who were beneficiaries under the Social Security Disability Insurance program, 312,044 were receiving benefits on the basis of injuries.
Table 12.6: In December 2021, of the $11,716,152 thousand spent on individuals who were beneficiaries under the Social Security Disability Insurance program, $10,519,766 thousand was spent on individuals who were disabled workers, $180,506 thousand was spent on individuals who were disabled widow(er), and $1,015,883 thousand was spent on individuals who were disabled adult children.
Table 12.7a: From 2019 to 2021, the total number of recipients of Supplemental Security Income changed by -3.3 percent. The number of total recipients had the smallest change in Nebraska (by -0.5 percent) and had the greatest negative change in Alaska (by -5.2 percent). From 2017 to 2021, the number of aged (65 or older) recipients of Supplemental Security Income changed by -1.8 percent. The number of aged recipients had the greatest positive change in the District of Columbia (by 5.4 percent) and had the greatest negative change in Alabama and New Mexico (by -4.9 percent).
Table 12.7b: From 2019 to 2021, the number of blind recipients of Supplemental Security Income changed by -3.2 percent. The number of blind recipients had the smallest change in Wyoming (by 26.2 percent) and had the greatest negative change in Alaska (by -14.3 percent). From 2017 to 2018, the number of disabled recipients of Supplemental Security Income changed by -3.6 percent. The number of disabled recipients had the greatest positive change in Nebraska (by -0.7 percent) and had the greatest negative change in Delaware (by -5.5 percent).
Table 12.8a: From 2020 to 2021, the total number of recipients of Social Security Disability Insurance changed by -3.1 percent. The total number of beneficiaries had the greatest positive change in North Dakota (by -0.9 percent) and had the greatest negative change in Colorado (by -4.8 percent). From 2020 to 2021, the number of disabled workers receiving Social Security Disability Insurance changed by -3.4 percent.
Table 12.8b: From 2020 to 2021, the total number of beneficiaries of Social Security Disability Insurance among disabled adult children changed by -0.6 percent. The total number of beneficiaries among disabled adult children had the greatest positive change in Alaska (by 3.6 percent) and had the least positive change in the District of Columbia (by -2.7 percent). From 2020 to 2021, the number of disabled widow(er)s receiving Social Security Disability Insurance changed by -5.4 percent.
Table 12.9–12.12: The monthly number of Social Security Disability Insurance applicants changed from 154,330 in January of 2003 to 176,326 in October of 2020. The highest number can be found in October of 2010, reporting 293,682 beneficiaries. The lowest number can be found in December 2018, reporting 123,073.
Section 13: Education
This section presents statistics on Special Education programs in the United States, specifically on children served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part B. These data concern the number of children with disabilities served (by age and by type of disability) and mainstream education of children with disabilities. The principal source of these data is the Office of Special Education Programs’ Data Accountability Center, which produces the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 618 Data Tables. Categories of disability and program outcomes under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act can be found on the Center for Parent Information and Resources website.
This section also presents statistics on the educational attainment of people with and without disabilities in the United States. The source of these estimates is the American Community Survey. For these tables, statistics for people with disabilities (disability status) are based on having responded ‘yes’ to a series of questions within the American Community Survey. See the glossary for more details.
Tables
Table 13.1: In the fall of 2020, there were 66,562,299 people ages 6 to 21 years enrolled in school. Of these people ages 6 to 21, 6,609,828 or 9.9 percent received special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part B. Hawaii had the smallest percentage (7.1 percent), while Maine had the largest percentage (13.4 percent).
Table 13.2: Of the youth ages 3 to 21 who received special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part B, in the fall of 2020, 494,888 were 3 to 5 years old; 3,205,989 were 6 to 11 years old; 3,068,148 were 12 to 17 years old; and 335,691 were 18 to 21 years old.
Tables 13.3a-13.3d: The 6,609,828 students ages 6 to 21 who received special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part B, in the fall of 2020 were in the following diagnostic categories: 2,276,389 in specific learning disability, 1,165,937 in speech or language impairment, 403,396 in intellectual disabilities, 343,913 in emotional disturbance, 122,596 in multiple disabilities, 64,426 in hearing impairments, 30,151 in orthopedic impairments, 1,072,195 in other health impairments, 23,599 in visual impairments, 761,552 in autism, 1,588 in deaf-blindness, 24,157 in traumatic brain injury, and 254,919 in developmental delay.
Table 13.4: Of the 6,609,828 youth ages 6 to 21 who received special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part B, in the fall of 2020, 5,455,055 (or 82.5 percent) spent 40 percent or more of their time in the regular classroom. New York had the smallest percentage (69.7 percent), while Wyoming had the largest percentage (92.8 percent).
Table 13.5: In 2021, individuals ages 25 and over with disabilities in California were most likely to have less than a high school education (23.1 percent), while individuals ages 25 and over with disabilities in Wyoming were least likely to have less than a high school education (9.1 percent).
Table 13.6: In 2021, individuals ages 25 and over with disabilities in West Virginia were most likely to have a high school education (47.0 percent), while individuals ages 25 and over with disabilities in California were least likely to have a high school education (24.9 percent).
Table 13.7: In 2021, individuals ages 25 and over with disabilities in Colorado were most likely to have a 4-year college degree (16.8 percent), while individuals ages 25 and over with disabilities in West Virginia were least likely to have a 4-year college degree (7.3 percent).
Table 13.8: In 2021, individuals ages 25 and over with disabilities in the District of Columbia were most likely to have more than a 4-year college degree (18.4 percent), while individuals ages 25 and over with disabilities in West Virginia were least likely to have more than a 4-year college degree (4.6 percent).
Section 14: Vocational Rehabilitation
This section presents statistics on Vocational Rehabilitation programs administered by the Rehabilitation Services Administration in the United States. These data concern the number of individuals with disabilities who apply for services, receive services, and find employment (are successfully rehabilitated). Presented here categorically, vocational rehabilitation agencies often provide services through both state and private rehabilitation agencies (combined), broad state-based services for people (general), and specialized services to people with visual impairments (blind). The data address expenditures associated with vocational rehabilitation and whether vocational rehabilitation agencies are on order of selection. The principal source of this data is the Rehabilitation Services Administration’s Management Information System. For several years 2015 data were the most recent due to changes in the reporting and data collection of state vocational rehabilitation agencies. In 2021, data from 2016 became available. Please note: The statistics presented in this section may vary from those provided by state agencies due to varying methods and analytic procedures.
Tables
Table 14.1: In the Federal Fiscal Year 2016 state vocational rehabilitation agencies served 328,181 participants. 186,570 cases were closed with employment and 141,620 cases were closed without employment.
Table 14.2: In the Federal Fiscal Year 2016, state vocational rehabilitation agencies agencies served 313,844 participants with significant disability and 175,542 were employed.
Table 14.3: In the Federal Fiscal Year 2016, 56.8% of all participants were employed at closure. For participants with significant disabilities, the percentage employed at closure was similar, at 55.9%.
Table 14.4: In the Federal Fiscal Year 2016, the number of participants whose primary financial support was their own at application was 51,370 participants. At closure, the number was 150,645 participants.
Table 14.5: In Federal Fiscal Year 2016, twenty-nine agencies were on Order of Selection. Over the period from 2012 to 2016, fifteen states have never had any agency on Order of Selection while twelve states have always had all their agencies on Order of Selection.
Table 14.6: In the Federal Fiscal Year 2016, the average hourly wage of employed participants was $14.55.
Section 15: Employment Policy
This section presents statistics relevant to disability employment policy research in the United States. Specifically, the data address state minimum wage rates, Social Security disability allowance rates, Supplemental Security Income supplementary payments, and earned income tax credit rates.
The data for state minimum wage rates are accurate as of July 2020, and were gathered from the Department of Labor. The Federal minimum wage is presented as default if a state does not have a minimum wage or if the rate is below the Federal level.
The data for Social Security disability allowance rates and Supplemental Security Income supplementary payments are from the Social Security Administration. More information about allowance rates and supplementary payments can be found in the State Assistance Programs for SSI Recipients report released in January 2011 through the Social Security Administration.
The data for earned income tax credit rates were found through the Internal Revenue Service. The earned income tax credit rates are the percent of the federal earned income tax credit amount that that can be claimed on state tax returns.
Tables
Table 15.1: In 2022, the states with the highest and lowest Social Security disability allowance rates were Alaska and Oklahoma, with allowance rates of 57.7 and 32.5 percent.
Table 15.2: In 2022, the states with the highest and lowest earned income tax credits were Maryland and Montana, with credits of 50 and 3 percent.
Table 15.3: In 2011, the most recent data available, the states with the highest and lowest Supplemental Security Income Supplementary Payments were Indiana and Utah, with payments of $827.06 and $3.13 respectively.
Table 15.4: In 2022, the highest minimum wage rate was in the District of Columbia with a rate of $16.1 per hour. Twenty-two states have no minimum wage or one that is lower than the Federal Minimum of $7.25 per hour.
Section 16: Voting and Registration
This section presents statistics on voting and registration during the 2020 US presidential election and is co-sponsored by the Rutgers University, Program on Disability Research. These statistics are adapted from the “Fact Sheet: Disability and Voter Turnout in the 2020 Elections,” by Lisa Schur and Douglas Kruse. Go to https://smlr.rutgers.edu/faculty-research-engagement/program-disability-research for more detailed statistics.
These statistics concern the number and percentage of individuals with disabilities who voted, did not vote or were registered to vote. Specifically, the statistics address number and percentage of individuals who voted or did not vote by disability status, demographic characteristics, region, state and employment status. The statistics also present number and percentage of individuals who voted using different voting methods such as at a polling place or by mail. Finally, this section presents statistics about individuals who were registered to vote but did not vote by reason for not voting and disability status.
The underlying data source for this section is the Voting and Registration Supplement of the November 2020 Current Population Survey (CPS).
Glossary
4-year college degree — Having attained a bachelor’s degree and no additional professional degrees. People in this category are ages 25 and over.
Activities of Daily Living (ADL) — Elected activities from the Katz Activities of Daily Living (ADL), namely difficulty bathing and dressing. Difficulty with these activities of daily living are identified as self-care disability in the American Community Survey. (See self-care disability for more detail).
Allowance Rate (Initial) — The number of allowances divided by the determinations, expressed as a percentage.
Allowances (Initial) — Fully or partially favorable determinations.
Ambulatory Disability (ACS) — In the American Community Survey, individuals who responded “yes” when asked if they had “serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.” Please note that this question is only asked of people 5 years old or over.
American Community Survey (ACS) — The American Community Survey is a large, continuous demographic survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau that will provide accurate and up-to-date profiles of America’s communities every year. Annual and multiyear estimates of population and housing data are generated for small areas, including tracts and population subgroups. This information is collected by mailing questionnaires to a sample of addresses. See the U.S. Census Bureau website for additional details.
Base Population — The sum of a population or an estimate used as the root for evaluation purposes. Typically, the last Census count or the estimate from a previous date is used.
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) — The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is a state-based system of health surveys that collects information on health risk behaviors, preventive health practices, and health care access primarily related to chronic disease and injury. BRFSS was established in 1984 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); currently data are collected monthly in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. More than 400,000 adults are interviewed each year, making the BRFSS the largest telephone health survey in the world. States use BRFSS data to identify emerging health problems, establish and track health objectives, and develop and evaluate public health policies and programs. Many states also use BRFSS data to support health-related legislative efforts. See the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for additional details.
Beneficiary (SSA) — An individual who is receiving benefits, or monthly payments, from Social Security Disability Insurance.
Binge Drinking (BRFSS) — Respondents were asked “[c]onsidering all types of alcoholic beverages, how many times during the past 30 days did you have [5, if male respondent] [4, if female respondent] or more drinks on occasion?” Respondents who reported doing so at least one time were considered to have engaged in binge drinking.
Building Type (ACS) — Building types identified in the ACS include houses (detached, one-family houses), apartments, and other (which includes mobile homes or trailers, boats, RVs, vans, etc.).
Civilian — A person not in active-duty military.
Complete kitchen (ACS) — Kitchen facilities are considered complete if they have a stove or range, a refrigerator, and a sink with a faucet. If kitchen facilities are missing one or more of these features, the household is found to be lacking complete a kitchen.
Complete plumbing (ACS) — Plumbing facilities are considered complete if they include hot and cold running water and a bathtub or shower. If the household is missing one or more of these features, the household is found to be lacking complete plumbing.
Cognitive Disability (ACS) — In the American Community Survey, individuals who indicated “yes” when asked if due to a physical, mental, or emotional problem, they had difficulty remembering, concentrating, or making decisions. Please note that this question is only asked of people 5 years old or over.
Department of Labor (DOL) — The Department of Labor is a US government department responsible for the assessment and management of wage and hour standards, occupational safety, unemployment insurance benefits, reemployment services and some economic statistics.
Determination (Initial) — A determination is the finding made by a state agency on the initial claim made in the designated time period. The finding can be favorable, partially favorable, or unfavorable.
Disability Rating — The disability rating scale is used to track the impairment, disability, or handicap of an individual. The severity of the disability corresponds to the value of the rating and is used to determine eligibility for supports and services and ability to work or return to work.
Disability Status (ACS, BRFSS) — The ACS and BRFSS use a set of six questions to identify persons with disabilities. Each question (listed below) has a possible response of either "yes" or "no". A response of “yes” to any one of the questions indicates that the person in question has a disability — vision, hearing, cognitive, ambulatory, self-care, and independent living. However, the cognitive, ambulatory, self-care, and independent living related questions are not used to identify disability in individuals less than five years old, and the independent living related question is not used to identify disability in individuals less than 15 years old.
The six disability questions included in the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) are the following:
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Hearing Disability: Is this person deaf or does he/she have serious difficulty hearing?
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Vision Disability: Is this person blind or does he/she have serious difficulty seeing even when wearing glasses?
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Cognitive Disability: [If person 5 years old or over] Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions?
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Ambulatory Disability: [If person 5 years old or over] Does this person have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs?
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Self-Care Disability: [If person 5 years old or over] Does this person have difficulty dressing or bathing?
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Independent Living Disability: [If person 15 years old or over]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?
Disability Type — See disability status and specific definitions in the glossary (Vision Disability, Hearing Disability, Ambulatory Disability, Cognitive Disability, Independent Living Disability, and Self-Care Disability).
Disabled Worker (SSA) — A worker not yet at full retirement age receiving insurance payments due to a disability.
Earned/Earnings (ACS) — Regularly received income from salaries/wages, self-employment or both, for people 18-64 years before deductions for personal income taxes, Social Security, bond purchases, union dues, Medicare deductions, etc.
Earned Income Tax — Earned income tax is the tax that is applied to the income a person has earned over a designated time period.
Earned Income Tax Credit — The Earned Income Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit for working individuals who earn low to moderate incomes, providing extra benefits for individuals with children.
Earned Income Tax Credit Rate — The percent of the federal EITC amount that that can be claimed on state tax returns.
Earnings Gap — The difference in percentage earned between two populations, usually people with and without disabilities.
Educational Attainment (ACS) — All individuals 18 years or older are classified based on their highest degree or level of education attained. The categories include:
- Completed the twelfth grade without receiving a high school diploma.
- High school graduate meaning received a diploma or General Educational Diploma (G.E.D.), and did not attend college.
- Some college credit, but less than one year.
- One or more years of college, but no degree.
- Associate’s degree which includes people who generally completed two years of college level work in an occupational program that prepared them for a specific occupation, or an academic program primarily in the arts and sciences. The course work may or may not be transferable to a bachelor’s degree.
- Bachelor’s degree or more which includes individuals who received a bachelor’s degree and have taken additional courses but not received a Master’s or PhD.
- Master’s degrees include the traditional MA and MS degrees and field-specific degrees, such as MSW and MBA.
- Professional degrees which includes MD, DDS, DVM, LLB, and JD.
- Doctorate degrees which include PhD.
Schooling completed in foreign or ungraded school systems is reported as the equivalent level of schooling in the regular American system. Certificates or diplomas for training in specific trades or from vocational, technical, or business schools are not included. Honorary degrees awarded for a respondent’s accomplishments are not included.
Employed/Employed Persons — Individuals 18-64 years who are civilians and are not currently institutionalized and, during the reference week; (a) performed at least one hour of work as a paid employee, worked in their own business, profession, or on their own farm, or worked 15 hours or more as an unpaid worker in a business owned by a relative; and (b) all those who had jobs or businesses but are on leave because of vacation, illness, bad weather, childcare problems, maternity or paternity leave, labor-management dispute, job training, or other family or personal reasons, regardless of whether they were compensated for the time off or were seeking other jobs. Each employed person is counted only once, even if he or she holds more than one job. Individuals who work around their own house (painting, repairing, or own home housework) or volunteer for religious, charitable, and other organizations are excluded.
Employed/Employed Persons (ACS) — In the American Community Survey, people who responded as having worked during the past week. See employed status for the American Community Survey for greater detail.
Employment/Employment Status (ACS) — In the American Community Survey, individuals were asked a series of questions designed to identify their status. Based on the answers, individuals were classified into one of five groups:
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people who worked at any time during the reference week;
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people on temporary layoff who were available for work;
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people who did not work during the reference week but who had jobs or businesses from which they were temporarily absent (excluding layoff);
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people who did not work during the reference week, but who were looking for work during the last four weeks and were available for work during the reference week; and
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people not in the labor force.
The employment status data shown in American Community Survey tabulations relate to people of age 18-64 years.
Employment Gap — The difference between the percentage of people employed for two different sub-populations, usually people with and without disabilities.
Employment Participation — Individuals who participated in the labor force. Includes all persons classified as employed or unemployed.
Employment-Population Ratio (ACS) — The proportion of the civilian non-institutional population aged 16 or more years who are employed.
Employment Rate (ACS) — The number of individuals that are employed as a percent of the civilian non-institutional population.
Federal Fiscal Year — The United States federal government's fiscal year is the twelve month period ending on September 30th of that year.
Full-Time, Full-Year (ACS) — A person is considered to be a working full-time, full-year if he or she worked 35 hours or more per week for 50 to 52 weeks in the past 12 months.
Hearing Disability (ACS) — In the American Community Survey, individuals who indicated “yes” when asked if they were “deaf or … [had] serious difficulty hearing.” Please note that this question is asked of individuals of all ages.
Health Insurance Coverage (ACS) — In the American Community Survey, health insurance coverage is broadly defined as both private health insurance and public coverage. Respondents are asked to report their current coverage and to mark “yes” or “no” for each of the eight types listed:
- Insurance through a current or former employer or union (of this person or another family member).
- Insurance purchased directly from an insurance company (by this person or another family member).
- Medicare, for people 65 and older, or people with certain disabilities.
- Medicaid, Medical Assistance, or any kind of government-assistance plan for those with low incomes or a disability.
- TRICARE or other military health care.
- VA (including those who have ever used or enrolled for VA health care).
- Indian Health Service.
- Any other type of health insurance or health coverage plan.
Health Insurance Coverage (BRFSS) — In the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, respondents are considered to have health insurance coverage if they respond ‘yes’ to having, “…any kind of health care coverage, including health insurance, prepaid plans such as HMOs, or government plans such as Medicare, or Indian Health Service?”
Health Insurance Coverage Gap — The difference in percentage points of health insurance coverage between people with and without disabilities.
Housing Cost Burden (ACS) — Residents face a cost burden if they spend more than 30 percent of their household income on housing costs.
Income (ACS) — The sum of all wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, and tips; self-employment income from own nonfarm and farm businesses, including proprietorships and partnerships; interest, dividends, net rental income, royalty income, and income from estates and trusts; Social Security and Railroad Retirement income; Supplemental Security Income; any public assistance and welfare payments from the state and local welfare office; retirement, survivor, and disability pensions; and any other sources received regularly such as Veterans Affairs payments, unemployment compensation, child support, and alimony.
Income Maintenance Programs — Government programs that provide direct financial assistance to needy individuals, families, and/ or households. Examples include Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and general assistance.
Independent Living Disability (ACS) — In the American Community Survey, individuals who indicated “yes” when asked if due to a physical, mental, or emotional condition, they had difficulty “doing errands alone such as visiting a doctor’s office or shopping.” Please note that this question is asked of individuals ages 15 years old or over.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) — A law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation. IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education, and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities. Infants and toddlers with disabilities (birth-2) and their families receive early intervention services under IDEA Part C. Children and youth (ages 3-21) receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B.
Industry — The type of business conducted by a person’s employing organization. Examples of industries include automotive, health, mining, and transportation. Industries are categorized based on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), published by the Office of Management and Budget. The NAICS is the standard used by North America and United States’ Federal statistical agencies to classify businesses for analyses of the economy.
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (ACS) — Elected activities from the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scales, namely difficulty performing errands such as visiting the doctor's office or going shopping. In the American Community Survey, IADLs are identified through an independent living disability question. (See independent living disability for more information).
Internal Revenue Service — The Internal Revenue Service is the federal tax collection agency and has the responsibility of enforcing tax laws for the United States federal government.
Labor Force — All persons classified as employed or unemployed.
Labor Force Participation Rate — The labor force as a percent of the civilian non-institutional population.
Less than a high school education — Having attained an education through 12th grade without attaining a high school degree or General Equivalency Degree. People in this category are ages 25 and over.
Living in the Community — Describes persons who are residing in the community and who are not living in institutions such as jails, prisons, nursing homes, hospitals, etc.
Margin of Error — A statistic expressing the amount of random sampling error in the results of a survey.
Median Earnings — The median is the middlemost value of a sample that separates the upper half of the values from the lower half of the values. The median earnings is the amount that divides the income distribution in two equal groups. Half of the people earn more than this value and half of the people earn less than this value.
Medicaid — Medicaid is a state-administered, but federally required, program to provide health insurance to certain groups of people. States determine specific eligibility requirements, but in general low income individuals, families, children, and pregnant women are eligible for health care coverage under Medicaid. In some states, other groups (such as people with disabilities) are also eligible.
Medicare — Medicare is a Federal program that provides health care services to individuals 65 or older, individuals under age 65 with disabilities, and individuals of all ages with end-stage renal failure. There are three programs within Medicare: Part A (hospital insurance), Part B (medical insurance), and Prescription Drug Coverage (new since January 1, 2006). Individuals pay into Part A throughout their careers, and then Part A covers that individual for hospital care. People who are eligible for Medicare have the opportunity to purchase Part B, or medical insurance that covers them for more than just hospital care.
Metropolitan (Urban) — Counties are classified metropolitan if they contain an urban core of at least 50,000 people or if a significant proportion of the population commutes into an adjacent urban core.
Micropolitan — Micropolitan counties are nonmetropolitan counties that have an urban core of 10,000 to 50,000 people.
Minimum Wage — A minimum wage is the lowest a person can be paid for hourly work in the US, set by the federal government.
Minimum Wage Rate — The minimum wage rate is set by individual US states. This rate must be equal to or above the federal minimum wage.
More than a 4-year college degree — Having attained a master’s, professional, or doctoral degree. People in this category are ages 25 and over.
Noncore — Noncore counties are nonmetropolitan counties with an urban core population of less than 10,000.
Nonmetropolitan (Rural) — Nonmetropolitan counties are rural counties and can be further classified into micropolitan and noncore counties. See micropolitan and noncore definitions for greater detail.
Non-Institutionalized Population — Describes individuals who are residing in the community and who are not living in institutions such as jails, prisons, nursing homes, hospitals, etc.
OASDI Benefits — The Social Security Administration’s Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program provides monthly benefits to qualified retired and disabled workers, their dependents and to survivors of insured workers. Eligibility and benefit amounts are determined by the worker’s contributions to Social Security.
Obese/Obesity (BRFSS) — The condition where a person has a body mass index greater than 30.
Occupation — The kind of work a person does on the job. Examples of occupations include animal scientists, computer programmers, medical assistants, and telemarketers. Occupations are categorized based on the Standard Occupational (SOC) Manual, published by the Office of Management and Budget. The SOC is the standard used by United State’s Federal statistical agencies to classify work for analyses of the economy.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) — Located within the Executive Office of the President of the United States, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) works to develop the President's budget proposal. The OMB also sets funding priorities and evaluates the effectiveness of programs, policies, and procedures. The definitions of metropolitan and nonmetropolitan (micropolitan and noncore) counties are based on OMB county classifications. See respective glossary entries for greater detail on these terms.
Office of Special Education Programs — Part of the United States Department of Education, the Office of Special Education Programs’ mission is to improve education-related outcomes and experiences of infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support at the state and federal level. Their goals include:
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“Fostering and supporting research and the development of knowledge and innovations to improve results for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities;” and
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“Evaluating, monitoring, and reporting on the implementation of federal policy and programs and the effectiveness of early intervention and educational efforts for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities.”
Only a high school education — Having attained a high school degree or General Equivalency Degree and no additional education. People in this category are ages 25 and over.
Order of Selection — A state is required by the Federal Government to implement an order of selection when it does not have the funds and/or the personnel to provide services for all eligible individuals with disabilities. This process is detailed under The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and 34 CFR 361.36. When this situation occurs, a state must classify eligible individuals according to the significance of their disability(ies), and must serve the most significantly disabled first.
Overcrowded (ACS) — A housing unit is considered overcrowded if it has more than two people per bedroom.
Participation in the labor force — See labor force.
Percentage Point(s) — A number, count or ratio expressed as a fraction of 100.
Persons with Targeted Disability — People with Targeted Disabilities are recognized and defined by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and United States Office of Personnel Management as “[People with the most severe disabilities including blindness, deafness, partial and full paralysis, missing extremities, dwarfism, epilepsy, intellectual disabilities, and psychiatric disabilities. Individuals with these disabilities typically have the greatest difficulty finding employment. The federal government has a special emphasis on recruiting, hiring, and retaining people with targeted disabilities.”
Prevalence — The proportion of the population with a particular status or condition. Prevalence is usually expressed as a percentage or a number of people per unit of the population.
Prevalence Rate — The prevalence of a particular status or condition estimated over a specific period of time.
Projected Population — Estimates of what the population will be at a future date. The United States Census Bureau definition states that population projections “are typically based on an estimated population consistent with the most recent decennial census and are produced using the cohort-component method.”
Population — The total number of inhabitants in a defined geographic area including all races, classes, and groups.
Poor Housing Quality (ACS) — A household has poor housing qualtiy if at least two of four possible conditions are met: lacking a complete kitchen, lacking complete plumbing, overcrowding, or cost burden.
Poverty (ACS) — The U.S. Office of Management and Budget in Statistical Policy, Directive 14 sets the standards for which poverty is calculated. The U.S. Census Bureau uses a set of dollar value thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who is in poverty. If a family’s total income is less than the dollar value of the appropriate threshold, then that family and every individual in it is considered to be in poverty.
Poverty Gap — The difference between the poverty rates of two populations, usually people with and without disabilities.
Poverty Rate (ACS) — Percent of the population who meet the federal definition of poverty, criteria which is determined by income and number of people in the household.
Postsecondary Institutions — In the United States, any education, school, training or program beyond the high school level.
Race (ACS) — Individuals identified themselves as one of six categories in the survey: White, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and Some Other Race. The racial categories included in the census questionnaire reflect a social definition of race recognized in this country and not an attempt to define race biologically, anthropologically, or genetically. In addition, it is recognized that the categories of the race item include racial and national origin or sociocultural groups. People may choose to report more than one race to indicate their racial mixture, such as “American Indian” and “White.” People who identify their origin as Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish may be of any race.
Rehabilitation Rate — The number of successful employment outcomes divided by the number of closures after initiating or completing services.
Rehabilitation Services Administration — The Rehabilitation Services Administration is a United States Department of Education agency that helps individuals with disabilities obtain employment and live more independently. Data provided by the Rehabilitation Services Administration can be found in the ‘Ad Hoc Query’ section of their website: http://rsa.ed.gov.
Resident Population — All residents (both civilian and Armed Forces) living in the United States (all 50 states and the District of Columbia).
Sample Size — The number of units (individuals) from which data were collected in a survey or experiment.
Sampling Variability — The variation of a statistic when estimated from repeated samples.
Seasonally Adjusted Statistics — Statistics that face predictable variation over the course of a year due to seasonal changes (i.e. increases in employment in farming during harvest months) and are adjusted using statistical techniques that attempt to account for these expected seasonal changes.
Self-Care Disability (ACS) — In the American Community Survey, individuals who indicated “yes” when asked if they “have difficulty dressing or bathing.” Please note that this question is asked of individuals ages 5 years old or over.
Service-Connected Disability Rating (ACS) — In the American Community Survey, the VA service connected disability rating for an individual who is a veteran. The rating reflects the degree of the veteran’s disability on a scale from 0 to 100 percent, in increments of 10 percent.
Service-Connected Disability Rating Status (ACS) — In the American Community Survey, the designation associated with individuals who were in the Reserves or National Guard, trained with the Reserves or National Guard, or active duty military that have a disability as a result of disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active military service. These disabilities are defined according to the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities in Title 38, U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Part 4.
Sex (male or female) (ACS) — In 2020, the data sources utilized here only have two categories. As federal data sources with disability measures expand to include new measures of gender identity we will incorporate those in future editions of the Compendium.
Smoking (BRFSS) — Respondents were asked about smoking: “Have you smoked at least 100 cigarettes in your entire life?” and “Do you now smoke cigarettes every day, some days, or not at all?” Respondents who reported smoking at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and who, at the time of survey, smoked either every day or some days were defined as current smoker (i.e., smoking).
Social Security Administration (SSA) — The Social Security Administration is an independent agency within the United States federal government managing services supporting people eligible for social security programs. This includes employment-, retirement-, survivor- and disability-related benefits. These benefits are earned by paying Social Security taxes on earnings.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) — A monthly benefit paid to disabled workers and certain family members if the worker meets eligibility criteria including evidence of disability and a sufficient work history.
Social Security Income Supplement — The Social Security Income supplement is managed by individual states to provide extra support for people with disabilities.
Social Security Income Supplementary Payments — Social Security Income Supplementary Payments are extra supplementary payments to people with disabilities on top of the SSI they receive from the federal government. Each state manages the supplementary payments independently.
Special Education — Specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability, including (1) instruction at the classroom, home, hospitals and institutions, and in other settings; and (2) physical education. The term can include each of the following: (a) speech-language pathology services, or any other related service, if the service is considered special education rather than a related service under state standards; (b) travel training; and (c) vocational education.
Successful Employment (VR) — The U.S. Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration defines successful employment as employment for at least 90 days in an integrated employment setting.
Successfully Rehabilitated — Successful rehabilitation describes achieved vocational rehabilitation outcomes including occupational/ vocational skills training, employment (re-entering the workforce), technical assistance, and transportation services.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) — The Social Security Administration pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. Social Security Income benefits also are payable to people 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial limits.
Unemployment Rate (ACS) — The percent of the labor force who do not have a job and are available and looking for work.
United States Census Bureau — An agency within the United States Federal Statistical System tasked with producing data about the American people and economy. Their primary task is to conduct the United States Census every ten years.
United States Department of Health and Human Services — A department in the United States government tasked with protecting and maintaining the health of all Americans.
Validity — The extent to which findings represent the phenomenon or variable they intend to measure.
Veteran(s) — A person who previously served in the armed forces.
Veteran Benefits — Federal assistance provided to Veterans and their dependents. This includes disability compensation, Veteran’s pension programs, medical care, and educational programs.
Vision Disability (ACS) — In the American Community Survey, individuals who indicated “yes” when asked if they were “blind or … have serious difficulty seeing even when wearing glasses.” Please note that this question is asked of individuals of all ages.
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) — Employment services offered to individuals with mental or physical disabilities. These services are designed to enable participants to attain skills, resources, attitudes, and expectations needed to compete in the interview process, get a job, and keep a job. These services may also help an individual retrain for employment after an injury or mental disorder has disrupted previous employment.
Work Experience (ACS) — In the American Community Survey, work experience is based on the number of hours an individual reported working per week over the previous 12 months. People 16 years old and over who reported that they usually worked 35 or more hours each week, during the weeks they worked, are classified as “Usually worked full time.” People who reported that they usually worked 1 to 34 hours are classified as “Usually worked part time.” Those who did not report working any regular hours in the previous 12 months are classified "did not work".
About the Center
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Statistics and Demographics (StatsRRTC)
Policymakers, program administrators, service providers, researchers, advocates for people with disabilities, and people with disabilities and their families need accessible, valid data/statistics to support their decisions related to policy improvements, program administration, service delivery, protection of civil rights, and major life activities. The StatsRRTC supports decision making through a variety of integrated research and outreach activities by (a) improving knowledge about and access to existing data, (b) generating the knowledge needed to improve future disability data collection, and (c) strengthening connections between the data from and regarding respondents, researchers, and decision makers. In this way, the StatsRRTC supports the improvement of service systems that advance the quality of life for people with disabilities.
Led by the University of New Hampshire, the StatsRRTC is a collaborative effort involving the following partners: American Association of People with Disabilities, Association of University Centers on Disabilities, Center for Essential Management Services, Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation, Kessler Foundation, Mathematica Policy Research, and Public Health Institute.
The StatsRRTC is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living, National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research under grant number 90RTGE0001, from 2018–2023.
Contact Information
University of New Hampshire, Institute on Disability
10 West Edge Drive, Suite 101
Durham, NH 03824
Toll-Free Telephone/TTY: 866-538-9521
E-mail: Disability.Statistics@unh.edu
https://researchondisability.org