New Disability Statistics

Main Content

The newest disability statistics have been released. These numbers show facts and figures on those with disabilities in the United States with comparisons in regards to those without disabilities.

The importance of these statistics includes:

• Figures on the amounts of those with disabilities
• The type of disability with a higher percentage of employment
• Overall earnings
• Education
• Poverty rates

We need to understand these figures because they directly relate to the well being of those with disabilities and our economy.

The percentage of individuals age 21 to 64 in the United States who are disabled is 12.8%. Findings conclude that the State with the highest amount is West Virginia with 22.4% and New Jersey with the lowest at 9.3%.

When it comes to employment those with a sensory disability have the highest employment rate. The United States employment rate (for disabilities) is 36.9%. The gap in employment is a staggering 42.8% between those with disabilities and those without! North Dakota has the best rates with 56% and West Virginia has the lowest at 26.6%.

Looking at these figures we can see how the lack of employment directly affects the well being of people in the lack of making a way for ones self and being self-sufficient. The economy as a whole suffers as well. The rolls in the form of Social Security payments and health care are only the tip of the iceberg.

Overall earnings are directly affected due to employment figures. The medium household income for those without disabilities is $61,000. For those with, it is $38,400. That is a gap of $22,600! These rates put those with disabilities in a much greater risk of being in the poverty status. As another note, the buying power which feeds the economy is directly affected.

Education among those with disabilities may surprise you as they overall have a better degree than those without a disability. Those with only a high school diploma rates were 35.3% with disabilities and 28.1% without one. It may also surprise you that when it comes to higher education 12.5% of those with a disability have a Bachelor's Degree or higher. Sensory disabilities have the highest percentages at 14.1%.

However we must take all of these facts and figures and combine them to look at the poverty rates which affect all of the United States, each and every one of us. This effect on the disabled can be so challenging for day to day life.

The poverty rate is at 9% for those without a disability but for those with it is 24.7%. That is almost a quarter of the population! The lowest is for sensory but that rate is still high at 22.1%. We need to look ahead at how we can improve upon the figures.

What can we do

Adaptive technology, education, and work from home opportunities are a few options that need to be considered. It is a collaborative effort though that we all need to make.

Reference: Cornell University. 2008. 2007 Disability Status Report. Author: Sandi Baker Visual Innovations & Solutions

I am the Co-Founder of Visual Innovations & Solutions. We are a Non-Profit Foundation dedicated to providing technology and visual aids to the visually impaired. Please visit our website at: www.visualinnovations.org