Census Bureau News Facts for Features Americans with Disabilities Act: July

Population Distribution 41.2 million Number of people who have some level of disability.
They represent 15 percent of the civilian noninstitutionalized population 5 and older.
By age --* 6 percent of children 5 to 15 have disabilities.* 12 percent of people 16 to 64 have disabilities.* 41 percent of adults 65 and older have disabilities.
Source: 2007 American Community Surveyhttp://factfinder.census.gov

15% Percentage of females with a disability, compared with 14 percent of males.
Using or Needing Assistance11 million Number of disabled people 6 & older who need personal assistance with everyday activities. This group amounts to 4 percent of people in this age category. These activities include such tasks as getting around inside the home, taking a bath or shower, preparing meals and performing light housework.
3.3 million Number of people 15 & older who use a wheelchair. Another 10.2 million use an ambulatory aid such as a cane, crutches or walker.

Specific Disabilities 1.8 million Number of people 15 and older who report being unable to see printed words at all or were blind.
1 million Number of people 15 and older who reported deafness or being unable to hear conversations at all.
2.5 million Number of people 15 and older who have some difficulty having their speech understood by others. Of this number, 431,000 were unable to have their speech understood at all.
16.1 million Number of people with limitations in cognitive functioning, or who have a mental or emotional illness that interferes with daily activities, including those with Alzheimer's disease and mental retardation. This group comprises 7 percent of the population 15 and older. This included 8.4 million with one or more problems that interfere with daily activities, such as frequently being depressed or anxious, trouble getting along with others, trouble concentrating and trouble coping with stress.

On the Job 13.3 million Number of 16- to 64-year-olds who reported a medical condition that makes it difficult to find a job or remain employed. They comprise 7 percent of the population this age.
46% Percentage of people 21 to 64 having some type of disability who were employed in the past year. The rate ranged from 75 percent of those with a nonsevere disability to 31 percent with a severe disability. For those without a disability, the employment rate is 84 percent for the same period.
59% Percent of people 21 to 64 with difficulty hearing that were employed. The corresponding percentage for those with difficulty seeing was 41 percent.
48% Percentage of people 21 to 64 with a nonsevere disability who work full time. This compares with 63 percent without a disability & 16 percent with a severe disability.

Income and Poverty$2,250 Median monthly earnings for people 21 to 64 with a nonsevere disability. This compares with $2,539 for those with no disability & $1,458 for those with a severe disability.
Accommodations 98.5% Percent of transit buses that were ADA lift- or ramp-equipped, as of 2006. This represents an increase from 61.7 percent in 1995.