Disabled Americans count for 1 in 5 people in U.S.

Tomorrow marks the 22nd anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act which guarantees equal opportunity for people with disabilities in public accommodations, commercial facilities, employment, transportation, state and local government services and telecommunications.

“On this important anniversary, this report presents a barometer of the well-being of this population in areas such as employment, income and poverty status,” said U.S. Census Bureau demographer Matthew Brault.

As of 2010, 57 million Americans lived with disabilities in the United State, representing 19 percent of the civilian, non-institutionalized population.

Statistics conclude that:
8 percent of children under 15 have disabilities.
21 percent of people 15 and older have disabilities.
17 percent of people 21 to 64 have disabilities.
59% of people 15 to 64 with severe disabilities receive public assistance.
50 % of adults 65 and older have disabilities.
48% of adults 15 to 64 with severe disabilities receive government health coverage.
41% of people 21 to 64 with a disability were employed.
31 million people 15 and older have difficulty walking or climbing stairs.

This information was taken from the report," Americans with Disabilities: 2010" which presents estimates of disability status and type. To access the report, go to: http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/disability/sipp/disable10.html