IN.gov - Skip Navigation

Note: This message is displayed if (1) your browser is not standards-compliant or (2) you have you disabled CSS. Read our Policies for more information.


Subscribe for e-mail updates
Print This Page Rate This Page Suggest a Link E-mail This Page HELP Find a Person Find an Agency

Disability Statistics

Did you know?

Population Distribution:

  • Photo of a small boy in a big wheel chair.5.2 million People have some level of disability. They represent 18 percent of the population.
  • 32.5 million People have a severe disability. They represent 12 percent of the population.
  • 11% of children ages 6 to 14 have a disability. This amounts to 4 million children.
  • 72% of people age 80 and older have disabilities, the highest of any age group.
  • 20% of females have a disability, higher than the 17 percent of males. On the other hand, among children under 15, boys were more likely than girls to have a disability (11 percent versus 6 percent).

Using or Needing Assistance:

  • Picture of a golden figure of a competitor in a wheelchair holding up a wreath10.7 million People age 6 and older need personal assistance with one or more activities of daily living (such as taking a bath or shower) or instrumental activities of daily living (such as using the telephone). This group amounts to 4 percent of people in this age category.
  • 2.7 million People age 15 and older use a wheelchair. Another 9.1 million use an ambulatory aid such as a cane, crutches or walker.

Specific Disabilities:

  • 1.8 million People age 15 and older report being unable to see.
  • 1 million People age 15 and older report being unable to hear.
  • 2.6 million People age 15 and older have some difficulty hav ing their speech understood by others. Of this number, 610,000 were unable to have their speech understood at all.
  • 14.3 million People have limitations in cognitive functioning or a mental or emotional illness that interferes with their daily activities. This includes those with Alzheimer’s disease, depression and mental retardation. This group comprises 6 percent of the population.

On the Job:

  • Photo of a girl carrying skis.11.8 million People ages 16 to 64 reported the presence of a medical condition that makes it difficult to find a job or remain employed. They comprise 6 percent of the population.
  • 44% of people with a non-severe disability work full time, year- round. This compares to 53 percent without a disability and 13 percent with a severe disability.

Perceived Health Status:

  • 33% of people ages 25 to 64 have a non-severe disability and report their health as being "very good" or "excellent." This compares with 13 percent of those with a severe disability and 73 percent of those without a disability.

Education

  • 33% of people ages 25 to 64 had a non-severe disability and were college graduates. This compares with 43 percent with no disability and 22 percent with a severe disability.

http://www.disabledinaction.org/census_stats.html