Persons with Hidden Mobility Disability (HMD) Facts and Statistics

First ever research into lived experience of persons with hidden mobility disabilities (HMD) - i.e., able to walk independently but only for a short distance and able to stand unsupported but only for a brief time.

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Persons with a hidden mobility disability (HMD) are independently mobile but can only walk a short distance or stand unsupported for a brief time without serious health consequences.

Over 2 million Americans & Canadians have HMD.

While HMD is more frequent with aging, people of all ages have HMD and the consequences are similar for all ages.

Comfortable distance to walk unaided:

• 35 feet is walkable for most ["short distance"]
• 70 feet is walkable for 56%

Walking is more effortful on slopes, unstable or uneven ground (like grass), going up/down stairs.

Comfortable time to stand unaided:

• 1-2 minutes is possible for most ["brief time"]
• 5 minutes is possible for 66%

Common health conditions resulting in HMD:

• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Back, disc, vertebrae problems
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• Diabetes
• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Heart disease
• Hip or knee injuries
• Multiple sclerosis
• Myasthenia gravis
• Neuropathy
• Parkinson's disease
• Stroke

Reactions to a person with HMD walking slowly:

• 45% Ignored, as though invisible
• 30% Asked if the person needed help
• 20% Treated with anger or irritation

Consequences of walking too far:

• 76% Increased joint pain
• 52% Walk more slowly until almost not moving
• 45% Increased difficulty breathing
• 42% Have trouble walking at all the next day
• 39% Begin to stagger and lose balance
• 31% Become immobilized by pain
• 27% Increased muscle spasms

21% can't use anti-inflammatories to manage pain.

Difficulties in community life:

• 83% Attending events where everyone stands
• 78% Having to stand in line for service
• 76% Shopping at a supermarket or mall
• 55% Using public transportation
• 43% Entering buildings with parking 35 ft. away
• 42% Check-in counter 35+ ft. from entrance

Self-advocacy:

• Resist walking further than comfortable
• Ask to sit down for service
• Ask for wheelchair assistance in airports
• Pause frequently to sit and recuperate

Examples of how to improve accessibility:

• Assume "short distance" means 35 feet
• Ensure horizontal, smooth, stable walkway
• Replace waiting lines with numbers
• Provide seated options for service
• Provide seating while waiting for elevators
• Provide seating in building lobbies near doors
• Provide seating every 35 ft. in long corridors
• Hold seated public consultations
• Provide public parking within 35 feet
• Place disabled parking within 20 ft. of elevator

This Fact Sheet is based on results from the Survey on Hidden Mobility Disabilities, January-March 2017, which are reliable within ± 4 percent at the 95 percent confidence level.