How many people in the U.S. have a disability?

  National Estimate

According to an analysis of the 1992 National Health Interview Survey, in the U.S., an estimated 48.9 million people or 19.4% of people who are not in institutions or in the military have a disability. (Source: LaPlante, 1995) Roughly half of these people have a severe disability. http://www.infouse.com/disabilitydata/p4.textgfx.html

Fact sheets on national disability prevalence can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/disable.htm

(Similar estimates are available from the U.S. Bureau of the Census at www.census.gov/hhes/www/disable/sipp)

  State Estimate

An analysis of the 1998 state Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System indicates that state disability prevalence ranges from 13.6%  in Washington D.C. to 21.8% in Alabama, with a median estimate of 17.1% for 12 locations (11 states and DC). (Source: Campbell, VA and Crews, JE. 2000). www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4931a2.htm  

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data for all 50 states will be available soon for 2001, 2003, and beyond. www.cdc.gov/brfss

In addition, in 1993, LaPlante estimated various state disability prevalence rates using the National Health Interview Survey data. This report can be obtained at http://dsc.ucsf.edu/UCSF

Other estimates of state disability prevalence rates are available from the U.S. Bureau of the Census at www.census.gov/hhes/www/disable/census/disapick.html

  To identify people with disabilities during surveys, the following standardized questions are recommended in Objective 6-1 of the United States Healthy People 2010 plan.  

1. Are you limited in any way in any activities because of physical, mental, or emotional problems? A. Yes  B. No  C. Don't know/Not sure  D. Refused

2. Do you now have any health problem that requires you to use special equipment, such as a cane, a wheelchair, a special bed, or a special telephone? A. Yes  B. No  C. Don't know/Not sure  D. Refused

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This page was last updated August 05, 2004

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National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities

The National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) promotes the health of babies, children, and adults, and enhances the potential for full, productive living.  Our work includes identifying the causes of birth defects and developmental disabilities, helping children to develop and reach their full potential, and promoting health and well-being among people of all ages with disabilities.