Demographic Study of People with Disabilities - Indiana

Author: Indiana Council on Independent Living
Published: 2011/01/28
Category Topic: Disability Statistics - Academic Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Demographic study of people with disabilities in the State of Indiana.

Introduction

Main Content

The Indiana Council on Independent Living (ICOIL) is preparing to release the first demographic study of people with disabilities in the State of Indiana. The report will be highlighted in the kick off and celebration of Legislative Awareness Day on February 3rd. The report, entitled "Statistics Describing the Population with Disabilities in Indiana: by County and CIL Catchment Area" has been prepared by Drs. Andrew Houtenville and Tony Ruiz at the Institute on Disability, University of New Hampshire.

The report is the first clear identification of the population of the State of Indiana as it pertains to people with disabilities. It will reveal who they are and where they are, giving law and policy makers the data and awareness they need to make good decisions on behalf of Hoosiers with disabilities.

According to Dr. Houtenville, "Data on the size and characteristics of the population with disabilities at the local level is critical to delivering relevant, effective, and timely services. Such data have only become available in the last year or two. ICOIL is leading the nation in using these data in planning and outreach."

The report will be presented at 9:00 a.m. on February 3, 2011 in the Statehouse Atrium as part of ICOIL's observance of Legislative Awareness Day. Dr. Ruiz will present a summary of the report and Suellen Jackson-Boner, Executive Director of the Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities, will speak on their support of the report and their partnership with ICOIL. Richard Simers, ICOIL Chairperson, said this about the importance of the day, "We are extremely pleased to release the report. The significance of this study is far reaching. It holds vast information that lawmakers need to make solid, knowledgeable decisions on behalf of people with disabilities throughout the entire state. This is just one example of the efforts ICOIL is making to promote independent living in Indiana."

About the Indiana Council on Independent Living:ICOIL was fashioned by federal and state law and is made up of people from across the state of Indiana. The members of ICOIL are people of different backgrounds with different experiences. It includes people with disabilities and was formed to promote Independent Living and the philosophy of Independent Living that affects people with disabilities in Indiana.

ICOIL values the belief that people with disabilities should have the same civil rights, choices, options, and control over choices in their lives as do people without disabilities. The Council works through state planning to develop and expand independent living services and the independent living philosophy throughout the state. To learn more about ICOIL, or to review the report to be released on February 3rd, logon to www.icoil.org.

About the report:The efforts of Drs. Houtenville and Ruiz are funded by the Hunter College Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Statistics and Demographics (StatsRRTC), funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), grant no. H133B080012. The contents of the report do not necessarily represent the policies of NIDRR and should not be assumed to be an endorsement by the Federal Government (Edgar, 75.620 (b)).