"Disability Stats in the U.S.,"
By Bethany Light
Disabilities and limitations can occur later in life from a car accident, an accident at work, a virus, or even after serving in the military. Some people even develop disabilities as they become elderly. Some people, unlike my brother, who have Cerebral Palsy and have had signs and symptoms since a young age, develop paralysis after a car accident, or lose their legs after being exposed to a bomb overseas.
In the United States, 1 in 5 people have a disability. In 2009, that was 19% of the population, or about 56.7 million people. Older people, above the age of 80, are 8 times more likely than younger people, under the age of 15, to have some form of disability. Two million people are blind. 5.6 million people use hearing aids, and 1.1 million people are deaf. 30.6 million people use a wheelchair, cane, crutches, or walker. Five million people need the assistance of others to perform daily living activities like bathing, dressing, and eating. 2.4 million people had Alzheimer’s, dementia, or were senile. Seven million people were depressed or anxious to such a degree that it interfered with their ordinary activities. Adults aged 21 to 64 with a disability made half as much money each month as people with no disability.
According to those statistics which were taken during the last census, disabilities are very common. Everyone knows someone with disabilities. It may be less obvious than someone who speeds past in a wheelchair, but it’s still a valid, real struggle or challenge that 1 in 5 people live with and overcome every day. At least 19% of our population is part of the largest minority group in our country today.
Sources:
https://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/miscellaneous/cb12-134.html
Siblings with a Mission is a non-profit, international organization established to serve and support siblings of individuals with special needs. All images are found on Google images and are solely used for educational purposes. The stories and advice provided by Siblings with a Mission are not to be replaced by professional advice and counseling but to be considered as an additional source of support.
By Bethany Light
Disabilities and limitations can occur later in life from a car accident, an accident at work, a virus, or even after serving in the military. Some people even develop disabilities as they become elderly. Some people, unlike my brother, who have Cerebral Palsy and have had signs and symptoms since a young age, develop paralysis after a car accident, or lose their legs after being exposed to a bomb overseas.
In the United States, 1 in 5 people have a disability. In 2009, that was 19% of the population, or about 56.7 million people. Older people, above the age of 80, are 8 times more likely than younger people, under the age of 15, to have some form of disability. Two million people are blind. 5.6 million people use hearing aids, and 1.1 million people are deaf. 30.6 million people use a wheelchair, cane, crutches, or walker. Five million people need the assistance of others to perform daily living activities like bathing, dressing, and eating. 2.4 million people had Alzheimer’s, dementia, or were senile. Seven million people were depressed or anxious to such a degree that it interfered with their ordinary activities. Adults aged 21 to 64 with a disability made half as much money each month as people with no disability.
According to those statistics which were taken during the last census, disabilities are very common. Everyone knows someone with disabilities. It may be less obvious than someone who speeds past in a wheelchair, but it’s still a valid, real struggle or challenge that 1 in 5 people live with and overcome every day. At least 19% of our population is part of the largest minority group in our country today.
Sources:
https://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/miscellaneous/cb12-134.html
Siblings with a Mission is a non-profit, international organization established to serve and support siblings of individuals with special needs. All images are found on Google images and are solely used for educational purposes. The stories and advice provided by Siblings with a Mission are not to be replaced by professional advice and counseling but to be considered as an additional source of support.
