The Annual Disability Status Reports provide policy makers, disability advocates, reporters, and the public with a summary of the most recent demographic and economic statistics on the non-institutionalized population with disabilities. They contain information on the population size and disability prevalence for various demographic subpopulations, as well as statistics related to employment, earnings, and household income. Comparisons are made to people without disabilities and across disability types. Disability Status Reports and other statistics are available for each state, DC, and Puerto Rico at www.disabilitystatistics.org.
The Status Reports primarily look at the working-age population because the employment gap between people with and without disabilities is a major focus of government programs and advocacy efforts. Furthermore, employment is a key factor in the social integration and economic self-sufficiency of working-age people with disabilities. In the future we will add health-related statistics.
The estimates in the 2006 Disability Status Report are based on American Community Survey (ACS) data—a US Census Bureau survey designed to replace the decennial census long form. See the ACS user Guide on www.disabilitystatistics.org for additional information on the ACS.
In 2006 the ACS began to sample people living in institutional and non-institutional group quarters. Small sample sizes prohibit the estimation of the population with disabilities living in institutional group quarters for many states, thus we are not including statistics on institutionalization. In the future, we may pool years together to boost sample sizes.
The estimates in these reports are based on responses from a sample of the population and may differ from actual population values because of sampling variability and other factors. As a result, differences between the estimates for two or more groups may not be statistically significant.
Suggested Citation
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Demographics and Statistics. (2007). 2006 Disability Status Report. Ithaca, NY; Cornell University.
Back to topAdditional Topics: This year we have added prevalence rates for ages 5 and older, 5 to 15, 16 to 20, 65 to 74, 75 or older, as well as prevalence by gender and age group, by race, and the percentage actively looking for work among individuals not working.
Puerto Rico: A Status Report for Puerto Rico is now available. However, please note that the Puerto Rico sample is not included when we estimate values for the U.S. as a whole.
Group Quarters: In 2006 the ACS surveyed the group quarters population for the first time. We have included the non-institutionalized group quarters population in our estimates, therefore it is not advisable to compare the 2006 Disability Status Report to the 2004 and 2005 Disability Status Reports.
Reconfigured Topics: We are no longer providing distributions by gender or race but instead are providing the prevalence rates within these groups. The distribution by education level was converted to educational attainment by disability status. We are also not reporting the percentage living in owner-occupied housing—we are developing alternative ways to characterize home ownership.
Note: According to the Census Bureau, estimates from the ACS Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) file may differ slightly from the ACS summary tables produced by the Census Bureau, because they are subject to additional sampling error and further data processing operations. Go to www.ilr.cornell.edu/edi/disabilitystatistics/faq.cfm for more information.
Back to topThese statistics indicate the social and economic status of non-institutionalized people with disabilities in the United States, using data from the 2006 American Community Survey (ACS). Comparisons to the 2006 Disability Status Report are not advisable due to inclusion of the non-institutionalized group quarters population.
In 2006, the prevalence of disability in the US was:
In the US in 2006, the prevalence of disability was:
In 2006, the employment rate of working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in the US was 37.7 percent.
In the US in 2006, the percentage actively looking for work among people with disabilities who were not working was 8.7 percent.
In the US in 2006, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities working full-time/ full-year was 21.7 percent.
In 2006, the median annual labor earnings of working-age people with disabilities working full-time/full-year in the US was $30,000.
In the US in 2006, the median annual household income of working-age people with disabilities was $36,300.
In the US in 2006, the poverty rate of working-age people with disabilities was 25.3 percent.
In 2006, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities receiving SSI payments in the US was 16.5 percent.
In 2006, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities with only a high school diploma or equivalent in the US was 35.0 percent.
In the US in 2006, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities with only some college or Associate’s degree was 27.7 percent.
In 2006, the percentage of working-age people with disabilities with a Bachelor’s degree or more in the US was 12.5 percent.
Back to topThis summary lists percentages by state of non-institutionalized working-age (ages 21 to 64) people with disabilities using data from the 2006 American Community Survey (ACS). Comparisons to the 2005 Disability Status Report are not advisable due to the inclusion of people living in non-institutionalized group quarters.
| Location | 2006 |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 18.8 |
| Alaska | 14.6 |
| Arizona | 11.9 |
| Arkansas | 19.6 |
| California | 10.9 |
| Colorado | 11.0 |
| Connecticut | 10.6 |
| Delaware | 12.8 |
| Dist. of Columbia | 11.4 |
| Florida | 12.9 |
| Georgia | 13.1 |
| Hawaii | 10.1 |
| Idaho | 13.2 |
| Illinois | 10.5 |
| Indiana | 13.1 |
| Iowa | 12.0 |
| Kansas | 12.2 |
| Kentucky | 20.4 |
| Louisiana | 16.9 |
| Maine | 16.8 |
| Maryland | 10.5 |
| Massachusetts | 11.2 |
| Michigan | 14.3 |
| Minnesota | 10.2 |
| Mississippi | 20.0 |
| Missouri | 14.8 |
| Montana | 15.4 |
| Nebraska | 11.7 |
| Nevada | 10.6 |
| New Hampshire | 11.7 |
| New Jersey | 9.7 |
| New Mexico | 15.1 |
| New York | 11.5 |
| North Carolina | 15.0 |
| North Dakota | 11.1 |
| Ohio | 14.1 |
| Oklahoma | 18.0 |
| Oregon | 14.3 |
| Pennsylvania | 13.7 |
| Puerto Rico | 24.5 |
| Rhode Island | 13.4 |
| South Carolina | 15.7 |
| South Dakota | 11.0 |
| Tennessee | 17.4 |
| Texas | 12.7 |
| Utah | 10.9 |
| Vermont | 14.2 |
| Virginia | 11.6 |
| Washington | 14.1 |
| West Virginia | 21.9 |
| Wisconsin | 11.1 |
| Wyoming | 13.4 |
This summary lists employment rates by state of non-institutionalized working-age (ages 21 to 64) people with disabilities using data from the 2006 American Community Survey (ACS). Comparisons to the 2005 Disability Status Report are not advisable due to inclusion of people living in non-institutionalized group quarters.
| People w/ Disabilities | People w/o Disabilities | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | 2006 | 2006 |
| Alabama | 31.4 | 78.1 |
| Alaska | 49.8 | 78.0 |
| Arizona | 37.2 | 78.1 |
| Arkansas | 34.6 | 79.4 |
| California | 37.1 | 77.4 |
| Colorado | 46.4 | 81.4 |
| Connecticut | 42.3 | 81.5 |
| Delaware | 38.7 | 80.6 |
| Dist. of Columbia | 32.7 | 79.1 |
| Florida | 39.1 | 79.3 |
| Georgia | 36.5 | 79.2 |
| Hawaii | 42.4 | 80.7 |
| Idaho | 42.9 | 80.9 |
| Illinois | 39.4 | 79.1 |
| Indiana | 39.6 | 80.6 |
| Iowa | 45.6 | 85.2 |
| Kansas | 46.3 | 84.0 |
| Kentucky | 30.0 | 79.3 |
| Louisiana | 33.4 | 77.0 |
| Maine | 40.8 | 82.9 |
| Maryland | 43.5 | 82.9 |
| Massachusetts | 38.9 | 82.0 |
| Michigan | 32.9 | 77.3 |
| Minnesota | 47.2 | 84.3 |
| Mississippi | 30.0 | 77.3 |
| Missouri | 38.1 | 81.7 |
| Montana | 44.9 | 81.7 |
| Nebraska | 48.9 | 85.8 |
| Nevada | 40.9 | 80.3 |
| New Hampshire | 46.7 | 84.9 |
| New Jersey | 38.1 | 80.0 |
| New Mexico | 40.4 | 77.0 |
| New York | 33.5 | 77.9 |
| North Carolina | 37.4 | 80.2 |
| North Dakota | 52.6 | 87.2 |
| Ohio | 37.8 | 80.4 |
| Oklahoma | 38.6 | 80.3 |
| Oregon | 43.4 | 79.3 |
| Pennsylvania | 34.9 | 80.5 |
| Puerto Rico | 24.7 | 60.7 |
| Rhode Island | 36.3 | 82.5 |
| South Carolina | 31.9 | 79.3 |
| South Dakota | 49.5 | 85.5 |
| Tennessee | 32.6 | 79.5 |
| Texas | 39.8 | 78.3 |
| Utah | 50.6 | 80.3 |
| Vermont | 44.2 | 83.9 |
| Virginia | 38.5 | 82.7 |
| Washington | 40.5 | 79.9 |
| West Virginia | 26.5 | 76.8 |
| Wisconsin | 43.0 | 84.0 |
| Wyoming | 49.4 | 84.3 |
This section addresses the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 5 and older in the United States, using data from the 2006 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary (page 42). Comparisons to the 2005 Disability Status Report are not advisable due to the inclusion of people living in non-institutionalized group quarters.
In 2006, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability ages 5 and older in the US was 15.0 percent.
In other words, in 2006, 41,247,000 of the 274,896,000 individuals ages 5 and older in the US reported one or more disabilities.
In the US in 2006, among the six types of disabilities identified in the ACS, the highest prevalence rate was "Physical Disability," 9.4 percent. The lowest prevalence rate was for "Self-Care Disability," 3.0 percent.
| Disability Type | Percent | StdErr | Number | StdErr | Base Pop. | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any Disability | 15.0 | 0.03 | 41,247,000 | 71,200 | 274,896,000 | 2,744,765 |
| Sensory | 4.3 | 0.01 | 11,789,000 | 40,200 | 274,896,000 | 2,744,765 |
| Physical | 9.4 | 0.02 | 25,768,000 | 57,900 | 274,896,000 | 2,744,765 |
| Mental | 5.8 | 0.02 | 15,915,000 | 46,300 | 274,896,000 | 2,744,765 |
| Self-Care | 3.0 | 0.01 | 8,271,000 | 33,900 | 274,896,000 | 2,744,765 |
| Go-Outside-Home | 5.4 | 0.02 | 12,468,000 | 41,300 | 230,172,000 | 2,305,076 |
| Employment | 7.0 | 0.02 | 13,645,000 | 43,100 | 194,599,000 | 1,881,281 |
† Caution: Estimates may be derived from small samples.
Back to topThis section focuses on the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized children ages 5 to 15 in the United States, using data from the 2006 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary (page 42). Comparisons to the 2005 Disability Status Report are not advisable due to the inclusion of people living in non-institutionalized group quarters.
In 2006, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of children with a disability ages 5 to 15 in the US was 6.3 percent.
| Disability Type | Percent | StdErr | Number | StdErr | Base Pop. | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any Disability | 6.3 | 0.04 | 2,809,000 | 19,900 | 44,724,000 | 439,689 |
| Sensory | 1.1 | 2.00 | 501,000 | 8,400 | 44,724,000 | 439,689 |
| Physical | 1.1 | 2.00 | 500,000 | 8,400 | 44,724,000 | 439,689 |
| Mental | 5.1 | 0.04 | 2,281,000 | 18,000 | 44,724,000 | 439,689 |
| Self-Care | 0.9 | 2.00 | 388,000 | 7,400 | 44,724,000 | 439,689 |
† Caution: Estimates may be derived from small samples.
Back to topThis section examines the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 16 to 20 in the United States, using data from the 2006 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary (page 42). Comparisons to the 2005 Disability Status Report are not advisable due to the inclusion of people living in non-institutionalized group quarters.
In 2006, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability ages 16 to 20 in the US was 6.9 percent.
| Disability Type | Percent | StdErr | Number | StdErr | Base Pop. | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any Disability | 6.9 | 0.07 | 1,503,000 | 14,600 | 21,638,000 | 200,091 |
| Sensory | 1.3 | 2.00 | 279,000 | 6,300 | 21,638,000 | 200,091 |
| Physical | 1.7 | 2.00 | 358,000 | 7,100 | 21,638,000 | 200,091 |
| Mental | 4.7 | 0.05 | 1,019,000 | 12,000 | 21,638,000 | 200,091 |
| Self-Care | 0.7 | 2.00 | 157,000 | 4,700 | 21,638,000 | 200,091 |
| Go-Outside-Home | 1.6 | 2.00 | 339,000 | 6,900 | 21,638,000 | 200,091 |
| Employment | 2.4 | 0.04 | 510,000 | 8,500 | 21,638,000 | 200,091 |
† Caution: Estimates may be derived from small samples.
Back to topThis section focuses on the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) in the United States, using data from the 2006 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary (page 42). Comparisons to the 2005 Disability Status Report are not advisable due to the inclusion of people living in non-institutionalized group quarters.
In 2006, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of working-age people with a disability ages 21 to 64 in the US was 12.9 percent.
| Disability Type | Percent | StdErr | Number | StdErr | Base Pop. | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any Disability | 12.9 | 0.03 | 22,382,000 | 54,300 | 172,961,000 | 1,681,190 |
| Sensory | 3.0 | 0.02 | 5,142,000 | 26,800 | 172,961,000 | 1,681,190 |
| Physical | 8.0 | 0.02 | 13,783,000 | 43,300 | 172,961,000 | 1,681,190 |
| Mental | 4.8 | 0.02 | 8,245,000 | 33,800 | 172,961,000 | 1,681,190 |
| Self-Care | 2.3 | 0.01 | 4,026,000 | 23,800 | 172,961,000 | 1,681,190 |
| Go-Outside-Home | 3.4 | 0.02 | 5,849,000 | 28,600 | 172,961,000 | 1,681,190 |
| Employment | 7.6 | 0.02 | 13,135,000 | 42,300 | 172,961,000 | 1,681,190 |
† Caution: Estimates may be derived from small samples.
Back to topThis section explores the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 65 to 74 in the United States, using data from the 2006 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary (page 42). Comparisons to the 2005 Disability Status Report are not advisable due to the inclusion of people living in non-institutionalized group quarters.
In 2006 in the US, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability ages 65 to 74 was 30.2 percent.
| Disability Type | Percent | StdErr | Number | StdErr | Base Pop. | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any Disability | 30.2 | 0.13 | 5,632,000 | 28,100 | 18,624,000 | 225,143 |
| Sensory | 10.0 | 0.08 | 1,863,000 | 16,200 | 18,624,000 | 225,143 |
| Physical | 23.4 | 0.12 | 4,352,000 | 24,700 | 18,624,000 | 225,143 |
| Mental | 7.7 | 0.07 | 1,426,000 | 14,200 | 18,624,000 | 225,143 |
| Self-Care | 6.1 | 0.07 | 1,129,000 | 12,700 | 18,624,000 | 225,143 |
| Go-Outside-Home | 9.4 | 0.08 | 1,743,000 | 15,700 | 18,624,000 | 225,143 |
† Caution: Estimates may be derived from small samples.
Back to topThis section focuses on the prevalence of disability among non-institutionalized people ages 75 and older in the United States, using data from the 2006 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary (page 42). Comparisons to the 2005 Disability Status Report are not advisable due to the inclusion of people living in non-institutionalized group quarters.
In the US in 2006, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of people with a disability ages 75 and older was 52.6 percent.
| Disability Type | Percent | StdErr | Number | StdErr | Base Pop. | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any Disability | 52.6 | 0.14 | 8,922,000 | 35,100 | 16,949,000 | 198,652 |
| Sensory | 23.6 | 0.12 | 4,004,000 | 23,700 | 16,949,000 | 198,652 |
| Physical | 40.0 | 0.14 | 6,774,000 | 30,700 | 16,949,000 | 198,652 |
| Mental | 17.4 | 0.11 | 2,944,000 | 20,400 | 16,949,000 | 198,652 |
| Self-Care | 15.2 | 0.10 | 2,572,000 | 19,100 | 16,949,000 | 198,652 |
| Go-Outside-Home | 26.8 | 0.13 | 4,537,000 | 25,200 | 16,949,000 | 198,652 |
† Caution: Estimates may be derived from small samples.
Back to topThis section examines the prevalence of disability among people by gender and age group in the United States, using data from the 2006 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary (page 42). Comparisons to the 2005 Disability Status Report are not advisable due to the inclusion of people living in non-institutionalized group quarters.
In the US in 2006, the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of males with a disability ages 5 and older was 14.4 percent.
In the US the overall percentage (prevalence rate) of females with a disability ages 5 and older was 15.6 percent.
| Gender / Age | Percent | StdErr | Number | StdErr | Base Pop. | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Males: Ages 5+ | 14.4 | 0.04 | 19,377,000 | 50,800 | 134,415,000 | 1,321,833 |
| Males: Ages 5-15 | 7.9 | 0.07 | 1,809,000 | 16,000 | 22,882,000 | 225,241 |
| Males: Ages 16-20 | 7.8 | 0.10 | 866,000 | 11,100 | 11,062,000 | 102,067 |
| Males: Ages 21-64 | 12.8 | 0.04 | 10,900,000 | 38,700 | 85,315,000 | 810,450 |
| Males: Ages 65-74 | 29.8 | 0.19 | 2,540,000 | 18,900 | 8,535,000 | 104,147 |
| Males: Ages 75+ | 49.3 | 0.23 | 3,261,000 | 21,400 | 6,622,000 | 79,928 |
| Females: Ages 5+ | 15.6 | 0.04 | 21,871,000 | 53,800 | 140,481,000 | 1,422,932 |
| Females: Ages 5-15 | 4.6 | 0.05 | 1,000,000 | 11,900 | 21,842,000 | 214,448 |
| Females: Ages 16-20 | 6.0 | 0.09 | 637,000 | 9,500 | 10,576,000 | 98,024 |
| Females: Ages 21-64 | 13.1 | 0.04 | 11,482,000 | 39,700 | 87,646,000 | 870,740 |
| Females: Ages 65-74 | 30.6 | 0.17 | 3,091,000 | 20,900 | 10,089,000 | 120,996 |
| Females: Ages 75+ | 54.8 | 0.18 | 5,661,000 | 28,100 | 10,328,000 | 118,724 |
† Caution: Estimates may be derived from small samples.
Back to topThis section presents the disability prevalence rate among non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) by race category in the United States, using data from the 2006 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary (page 42). Comparisons to the 2005 Disability Status Report are not advisable due to the inclusion of people living in non-institutionalized group quarters.
In 2006, among working-age people in the US:
| Disability Type | Percent | StdErr | Number | StdErr | Base Pop. | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | 12.7 | 0.03 | 16,416,000 | 47,000 | 129,431,000 | 1,325,382 |
| Black/African American | 17.5 | 0.10 | 3,531,000 | 22,300 | 20,221,000 | 156,729 |
| Native American | 21.7 | 0.42 | 291,000 | 6,400 | 1,342,000 | 13,922 |
| Asian | 6.3 | 0.10 | 529,000 | 8,700 | 8,449,000 | 76,070 |
| Some other race(s) | 11.9 | 0.11 | 1,614,000 | 15,100 | 13,518,000 | 109,087 |
† Caution: Estimates may be derived from small samples.
Back to topThis section examines the employment rates of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in the United States, using data from the 2006 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary (page 42). Comparisons to the 2005 Disability Status Report are not advisable due to the inclusion of people living in non-institutionalized group quarters.
| Disability Type | Percent | StdErr | Number | StdErr | Base Pop. | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Disability | 79.7 | 0.04 | 120,004,000 | 101,200 | 150,580,000 | 1,459,708 |
| Any Disability | 37.7 | 0.12 | 8,448,000 | 34,200 | 22,382,000 | 221,482 |
| Sensory | 47.5 | 0.26 | 2,444,000 | 18,600 | 5,142,000 | 50,091 |
| Physical | 31.7 | 0.15 | 4,371,000 | 24,800 | 13,783,000 | 138,827 |
| Mental | 28.8 | 0.19 | 2,374,000 | 18,300 | 8,245,000 | 78,257 |
| Self-Care | 17.1 | 0.22 | 689,000 | 9,900 | 4,026,000 | 39,665 |
| Go-Outside-Home | 17.4 | 0.19 | 1,018,000 | 12,000 | 5,849,000 | 57,280 |
| Employment | 17.7 | 0.13 | 2,320,000 | 18,100 | 13,135,000 | 131,924 |
† Caution: Estimates may be derived from small samples.
Back to topThis section focuses on the percentage actively looking for work among non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities who are not working in the United States, using data from the 2006 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary (page 42). Comparisons to the 2005 Disability Status Report are not advisable due to the inclusion of people living in non-institutionalized group quarters.
| Disability Type | Percent | StdErr | Number | StdErr | Base Pop. | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Disability | 20.2 | 0.09 | 6,313,000 | 29,700 | 31,231,000 | 302,908 |
| Any Disability | 8.7 | 0.09 | 1,251,000 | 13,300 | 14,340,000 | 142,102 |
| Sensory | 9.8 | 0.21 | 275,000 | 6,300 | 2,811,000 | 27,220 |
| Physical | 6.8 | 0.10 | 654,000 | 9,600 | 9,658,000 | 97,571 |
| Mental | 8.0 | 0.13 | 485,000 | 8,300 | 6,035,000 | 57,363 |
| Self-Care | 3.5 | 0.12 | 119,000 | 4,100 | 3,416,000 | 33,699 |
| Go-Outside-Home | 3.8 | 0.10 | 192,000 | 5,200 | 5,002,000 | 48,906 |
| Employment | 5.4 | 0.08 | 596,000 | 9,200 | 11,100,000 | 111,571 |
† Caution: Estimates may be derived from small samples.
Back to topThis section presents the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities working full-time/full-year in the United States, using data from the 2006 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary (page 42). Comparisons to the 2005 Disability Status Report are not advisable due to the inclusion of people living in non-institutionalized group quarters.
| Disability Type | Percent | StdErr | Number | StdErr | Base Pop. | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Disability | 56.6 | 0.06 | 85,266,000 | 108,800 | 150,580,000 | 1,459,708 |
| Any Disability | 21.7 | 0.12 | 4,866,000 | 30,500 | 22,382,000 | 221,482 |
| Sensory | 31.4 | 0.29 | 1,614,000 | 17,600 | 5,142,000 | 50,091 |
| Physical | 18.1 | 0.14 | 2,492,000 | 21,900 | 13,783,000 | 138,827 |
| Mental | 13.5 | 0.17 | 1,110,000 | 14,700 | 8,245,000 | 78,257 |
| Self-Care | 8.2 | 0.19 | 329,000 | 8,000 | 4,026,000 | 39,665 |
| Go-Outside-Home | 7.1 | 0.15 | 417,000 | 9,000 | 5,849,000 | 57,280 |
| Employment | 7.3 | 0.10 | 959,000 | 13,600 | 13,135,000 | 131,924 |
† Caution: Estimates may be derived from small samples.
Back to topThis section examines the median annual labor earnings of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities who work full-time/full-year in the United States, using data from the 2006 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary (page 42). Comparisons to the 2005 Disability Status Report are not advisable due to the inclusion of people living in non-institutionalized group quarters.
| Disability Type | Median Earnings | Standard Error | Base Population | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Disability | $37,000 | $60 | 85,266,000 | 816,803 |
| Any Disability | $30,000 | $180 | 4,866,000 | 48,009 |
| Sensory | $32,000 | $330 | 1,614,000 | 15,839 |
| Physical | $30,400 | $250 | 2,492,000 | 24,851 |
| Mental | $26,900 | $300 | 1,110,000 | 10,545 |
| Self-Care | $30,000 | $690 | 329,000 | 3,207 |
| Go-Outside-Home | $27,800 | $530 | 417,000 | 4,138 |
| Employment | $29,000 | $380 | 959,000 | 9,525 |
† Caution: Estimates may be derived from small samples.
Back to topThis section illustrates the median annual household income† of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in the United States, using data from the 2006 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary (page 42). Comparisons to the 2005 Disability Status Report are not advisable due to the inclusion of people living in non-institutionalized group quarters.
† Caution: For persons living in non-institutional group quarters household income is not available, therefore total personal income is substituted for household income.
| Disability Type | Median Earnings | Standard Error | Base Population | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Disability | $65,400 | $80 | 150,580,000 | 1,459,708 |
| Any Disability | $36,300 | $160 | 22,382,000 | 221,482 |
| Sensory | $38,600 | $340 | 5,142,000 | 50,091 |
| Physical | $34,300 | $190 | 13,783,000 | 138,827 |
| Mental | $28,700 | $230 | 8,245,000 | 78,257 |
| Self-Care | $28,800 | $340 | 4,026,000 | 39,665 |
| Go-Outside-Home | $29,100 | $280 | 5,849,000 | 57,280 |
| Employment | $30,200 | $180 | 13,135,000 | 131,924 |
† Caution: For persons living in non-institutional group quarters household income is not available, therefore total personal income is substituted for household income.
Back to topThis section examines the poverty rates† of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in the United States, using data from the 2006 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary (page 42). Comparisons to the 2005 Disability Status Report are not advisable due to the inclusion of people living in non-institutionalized group quarters.
† Caution: The Census Bureau does not calculate poverty status for those people living in military group quarters or college dormitories.
| Disability Type | Percent | StdErr | Number | StdErr | Base Pop. | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Disability | 9.2 | 0.04 | 13,734,000 | 61,200 | 149,944,000 | 1,453,992 |
| Any Disability | 25.3 | 0.16 | 5,647,000 | 39,800 | 22,341,000 | 221,102 |
| Sensory | 23.3 | 0.32 | 1,196,000 | 18,500 | 5,132,000 | 49,995 |
| Physical | 26.2 | 0.20 | 3,602,000 | 31,900 | 13,771,000 | 138,713 |
| Mental | 32.5 | 0.28 | 2,673,000 | 27,500 | 8,225,000 | 78,069 |
| Self-Care | 31.8 | 0.39 | 1,280,000 | 19,100 | 4,025,000 | 39,648 |
| Go-Outside-Home | 32.0 | 0.33 | 1,871,000 | 23,100 | 5,846,000 | 57,246 |
| Employment | 30.6 | 0.22 | 4,022,000 | 33,700 | 13,129,000 | 131,859 |
† Caution: The Census Bureau does not calculate poverty status for those people living in military group quarters or college dormitories.
Back to topThis section focuses on the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in the United States, using data from the 2006 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary (page 42). Comparisons to the 2005 Disability Status Report are not advisable due to the inclusion of people living in non-institutionalized group quarters. Please note that these results will differ from official Social Security Administration reports for several reasons. For additional information, please email DisabilityStatistics@cornell.edu.
| Disability Type | Percent | StdErr | Number | StdErr | Base Pop. | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any Disability | 16.5 | 0.12 | 3,699,000 | 30,400 | 22,382,000 | 221,482 |
| Sensory | 14.6 | 0.25 | 752,000 | 13,800 | 5,142,000 | 50,091 |
| Physical | 17.2 | 0.16 | 2,376,000 | 24,400 | 13,783,000 | 138,827 |
| Mental | 25.0 | 0.24 | 2,062,000 | 22,800 | 8,245,000 | 78,257 |
| Self-Care | 26.6 | 0.35 | 1,071,000 | 16,400 | 4,026,000 | 39,665 |
| Go-Outside-Home | 28.7 | 0.30 | 1,681,000 | 20,600 | 5,849,000 | 57,280 |
| Employment | 23.9 | 0.19 | 3,133,000 | 28,000 | 13,135,000 | 131,924 |
† Caution: Estimates may be derived from small samples.
Back to topThis section explores the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities with only a high school diploma or equivalent in the United States, using data from the 2006 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary (page 42). Comparisons to the 2005 Disability Status Report are not advisable due to the inclusion of people living in non-institutionalized group quarters.
| Disability Type | Percent | StdErr | Number | StdErr | Base Pop. | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Disability | 28.3 | 0.06 | 42,612,000 | 96,200 | 150,580,000 | 1,459,708 |
| Any Disability | 35.0 | 0.16 | 7,831,000 | 44,000 | 22,382,000 | 221,482 |
| Sensory | 34.2 | 0.33 | 1,759,000 | 21,100 | 5,142,000 | 50,091 |
| Physical | 35.1 | 0.20 | 4,838,000 | 34,700 | 13,783,000 | 138,827 |
| Mental | 34.1 | 0.26 | 2,814,000 | 26,600 | 8,245,000 | 78,257 |
| Self-Care | 34.0 | 0.38 | 1,369,000 | 18,600 | 4,026,000 | 39,665 |
| Go-Outside-Home | 34.7 | 0.31 | 2,032,000 | 22,600 | 5,849,000 | 57,280 |
| Employment | 35.7 | 0.21 | 4,690,000 | 34,200 | 13,135,000 | 131,924 |
† Caution: Estimates may be derived from small samples.
Back to topThis section examines the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities with only some college or an Associate’s degree in the United States, using data from the 2006 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary. Comparisons to the 2005 Disability Status Report are not advisable due to the inclusion of people living in non-institutionalized group quarters.
| Disability Type | Percent | StdErr | Number | StdErr | Base Pop. | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Disability | 30.2 | 0.06 | 45,543,000 | 98,900 | 150,580,000 | 1,459,708 |
| Any Disability | 27.7 | 0.15 | 6,198,000 | 39,200 | 22,382,000 | 221,482 |
| Sensory | 27.4 | 0.31 | 1,408,000 | 18,800 | 5,142,000 | 50,091 |
| Physical | 28.3 | 0.19 | 3,894,000 | 31,200 | 13,783,000 | 138,827 |
| Mental | 24.6 | 0.24 | 2,028,000 | 22,600 | 8,245,000 | 78,257 |
| Self-Care | 25.2 | 0.34 | 1,016,000 | 16,000 | 4,026,000 | 39,665 |
| Go-Outside-Home | 23.4 | 0.28 | 1,372,000 | 18,600 | 5,849,000 | 57,280 |
| Employment | 25.7 | 0.19 | 3,379,000 | 29,100 | 13,135,000 | 131,924 |
† Caution: Estimates may be derived from small samples.
This section presents the percentage of non-institutionalized working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities with a Bachelor’s degree or more in the United States, using data from the 2006 American Community Survey (ACS). For definitions of terms, see Glossary (page 42). Comparisons to the 2005 Disability Status Report are not advisable due to the inclusion of people living in non-institutionalized group quarters.
| Disability Type | Percent | StdErr | Number | StdErr | Base Pop. | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Disability | 30.3 | 0.06 | 45,584,000 | 99,000 | 150,580,000 | 1,459,708 |
| Any Disability | 12.5 | 0.11 | 2,792,000 | 26,500 | 22,382,000 | 221,482 |
| Sensory | 13.5 | 0.24 | 693,000 | 13,200 | 5,142,000 | 50,091 |
| Physical | 11.7 | 0.14 | 1,613,000 | 20,200 | 13,783,000 | 138,827 |
| Mental | 9.4 | 0.16 | 772,000 | 14,000 | 8,245,000 | 78,257 |
| Self-Care | 10.5 | 0.24 | 422,000 | 10,300 | 4,026,000 | 39,665 |
| Go-Outside-Home | 9.7 | 0.19 | 565,000 | 12,000 | 5,849,000 | 57,280 |
| Employment | 10.1 | 0.13 | 1,320,000 | 18,300 | 13,135,000 | 131,924 |
† Caution: Estimates may be derived from small samples.
Back to topA person is defined as actively looking for work if he or she reports looking for work during the last four weeks.
The estimated number of individuals upon which the calculation is based. (For percentages, this is the denominator.)
The ACS definition of disability is based on three questions. (1) Does this person have any of the following long-lasting conditions: (a) blindness, deafness, or a severe vision or hearing impairment? [Sensory Disability]; (b) a condition that substantially limits one or more basic physical activities such as walking, climbing stairs, reaching, lifting, or carrying? [Physical Disability] (2) Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition lasting six months or more, does this person have any difficulty in doing any of the following activities: (a) learning, remembering, or concentrating? [Mental Disability]; (b) dressing, bathing, or getting around inside the home? [Self-Care Disability] (3) Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition lasting six months or more, does this person have any difficulty in doing any of the following activities: (a) going outside the home alone to shop or visit a doctor’s office? [Go-Outside-Home Disability]; (b) working at a job or business? [Employment Disability] A person is coded as having a disability if he or she or a proxy respondent answers affirmatively for one or more of these six categories.
Our definition is based on the responses to the question: "What is the highest level of schooling this person has completed? If currently enrolled, mark the previous grade or highest degree received." Our category "high school diploma/equivalent" includes those marking the ACS option "HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE — high school DIPLOMA or the equivalent (for example: GED)." Our category "some college or an Associate’s degree" includes those marking the ACS options: some college credit, but less than one year; one or more years of college but no degree, or "Associate’s degree (for example: AA, AS)." Our category "a Bachelor’s or more" includes those marking the ACS options: "Bachelor’s degree (for example: BA, AB, BS)" ; "Master’s degree (for example: MA, MS, MEng, Med, MSW, MBA)" ; "Professional degree (for example: MD, DDS, DVM, LLB, JD)" ; or "Doctorate degree (for example: PhD, EdD)."
A person is considered employed if he or she (a) worked as a paid employee, worked in his or her own business or profession, worked on his or her own farm, or worked 15 or more hours as an unpaid worker on a family farm or business, or (b) had a job but temporarily did not work at that job during the reference period due to illness, bad weather, industrial dispute, vacation or other personal reasons. The reference period is defined as the week preceding the date the questionnaire was completed.
This disability type is based on the question: Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition lasting six months or more, does this person have any difficulty in doing any of the following activities: ... (b) working at a job or business?
A person is considered employed full-time/full-year if he or she worked 35 hours or more per week (full-time) and 50 or more weeks per year (full-year). The reference period is defined as the year preceding the date the questionnaire was completed. Note: this does not signify whether a person is eligible for fringe benefits.
This disability type is based on the question: Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition lasting six months or more, does this person have any difficulty in doing any of the following activities: (a) going outside the home alone to shop or visit a doctor’s office?
A GQ is a place where people live or stay that is normally owned or managed by an entity or organization providing housing and/or services for the residents. These services may include custodial or medical care as well as other types of assistance, and residency is commonly restricted to those receiving these services. People living in group quarters are usually not related to each other. Group quarters include such places as college residence halls, residential treatment centers, skilled nursing facilities, group homes, military barracks, correctional facilities, and workers’ dormitories. See the definitions of institutional GQs and non-institutional GQs for more information. In addition, a description of the types of group quarters included in the 2006 ACS is located on the U.S. Census Bureau’s Web site at www.census.gov/acs/www/UseData/GQ/def.htm.
Household Income is defined as the total income of a household including: wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, or tips from all jobs; self-employment income from own non-farm businesses or farm businesses, including proprietorships and partnerships; interest, dividends, net rental income, royalty income, or income from real estates and trusts; Social Security or Railroad Retirement; Supplemental Security Income; any public assistance or welfare payments from the state or local welfare office; retirement, survivor or disability pensions; and any other regularly received income (e.g., Veterans’ payments, unemployment compensation, child support or alimony).
Includes facilities for people under formally authorized, supervised care or custody at the time of enumeration; such as correctional facilities, nursing facilities/skilled nursing facilities, in-patient hospice facilities, mental (psychiatric hospitals), group homes for juveniles, and residential treatment centers for juveniles.
Labor earnings are defined as wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, or tips from all jobs; not including self-employment income from own non-farm businesses or farm businesses.
This disability type is based on the question: Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition lasting six months or more, does this person have any difficulty in doing any of the following activities: (a) learning, remembering, or concentrating?
Includes facilities that are not classified as institutional group quarters; such as college/university housing, group homes intended for adults, residential treatment facilities for adults, workers’ group living quarters and Job Corps centers and religious group quarters.
A person is defined as not working but actively looking for work if he or she reports not being employed but has been looking for work during the last four weeks.
This term appears in the tables; it refers to estimated number of people in the category. (For percentages, this is the numerator.)
This disability type is based on the question: Does this person have any of the following long-lasting conditions: ... (b) a condition that substantially limits one or more basic physical activities such as walking, climbing stairs, reaching, lifting, or carrying?
The poverty measure is computed based upon the standards defined in Directive 14 from the Office of Management and Budget. These standards use poverty thresholds created in 1982 and index these thresholds to 2006 dollars using poverty factors based upon the Consumer Price Index. They use the family as the income sharing unit and family income is the sum of total income from each family member living in the household. The poverty threshold depends upon the size of the family; the age of the householder; and the number of related children under the age of 18.
Our race categories are based on the question, "[w]hat is this person’s race? Mark (X) one or more races to indicate what this person considers himself/herself to be." Responses include the following: White; Black or African-American; American Indian or Alaska Native (print name of enrolled or principal tribe); Asian Indian; Chinese; Filipino; Japanese; Korean; Vietnamese; Other Asian (Print Race); Native Hawaiian; Guamanian or Chamarro; Samoan; Other Pacific Islander (Print Race Below); Some other race (print race below). Other race also contains people who report more than one race.
The number of survey participants used to calculate the statistic.
This disability type is based on the question: Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition lasting six months or more, does this person have any difficulty in doing any of the following activities: ... (b) dressing, bathing, or getting around inside the home?
This disability type is based on the question: Does this person have any of the following long-lasting conditions: (a) blindness, deafness, or a severe vision or hearing impairment?
Data, such as data from the American Community Survey (ACS), is based on a sample, and therefore statistics derived from this data are subject to sampling variability. The standard error (StdErr) represents the degree of sampling variability. In a random sample, the degree of sampling variation will be determined by the underlying variability of the phenomena being estimated (e.g., income) and the size of the sample (i.e., the number of survey participants used to calculate the statistic). The smaller the standard error—the lower the sampling variability—the more "precise" the estimate is considered.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI): A person is defined as receiving SSI payments if he or she reports receiving SSI income in the 12 months prior to the survey.
Back to topThe Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Demographics and Statistics (StatsRRTC) bridges the divide between the sources of disability data and the users of disability statistics. We conduct research exploring the reliability of existing data sources and collection methods, and study the potential to improve current and future data collection efforts.
The StatsRRTC is an interdisciplinary effort of two organizations at Cornell University: the Employment and Disability Institute, and the Department of Policy Analysis and Management. In addition, expertise is drawn from the following collaborating institutions: American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), Center for an Accessible Society, InfoUse, and Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.
The StatsRRTC is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (No. H133B031111). The contents of this paper do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government (Edgar, 75.620 (b)).
Andrew J. Houtenville: Senior Research Associate, Cornell University
Susanne M. Bruyere: Director, Employment and Disability Institute, School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Extension Division, Cornell University
Richard V. Burkhauser: Sarah Gibson Blanding Professor, Department of Policy Analysis and Management, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University
David C. Stapleton: Mathmatica Policy Research, Center for Disability Policy
Andrew J. Houtenville, Director
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Demographics and Statistics
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853
The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Demographics and Statistics (StatsRRTC) is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (No. H133B031111).
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