U.S. Census Bureau

 Disability






Americans with Disabilities: 2002 - Table 2


Printable Version

Table 2. Prevalence of Types of Disability Among Individuals 15 Years and Older: 2002
(June-September 2002 data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation)


Characteristic   15 years and older     25 to 64 years     65 years and older  
Number 90-
percent
C.I. (±)
Percent
distri-
bution
90-
percent
C.I. (±)
Number 90-
percent
C.I. (±)
Percent
distri-
bution
90-
percent
C.I. (±)
Number 90-
percent
C.I. (±)
Percent
distri-
bution
90-
percent
C.I. (±)
Both sexes222,2261,134100.0(NA)149,0311,337100.0(NA)33,742858100.0(NA)
Disability Status 
With a disability46,12497820.80.424,35074216.30.517,64663952.31.4
  Severe30,48882013.70.416,13361310.80.412,44454236.91.3
  Not severe15,6366047.00.38,2174445.50.35,20235515.41.0
No disability176,1021,30779.20.4124,6811,32483.70.516,09661247.71.4
Seeing/Hearing/Speaking 
With a disability14,8285896.70.37,1624154.80.36,92040820.51.1
  Severe3,0772741.40.11,3431820.90.11,5011924.40.6
  Not severe11,7505275.30.25,8193753.90.25,41936216.11.0
Difficulty seeing words/letters7,8684343.50.23,7493022.50.23,80330411.30.9
  Severe1,8062100.80.17621370.50.19511532.80.4
  Not severe6,0623832.70.22,9872702.00.22,8522648.50.8
Difficulty hearing conversation7,8304333.50.23,4282892.30.24,16631812.30.9
  Severe9721550.40.14181010.30.15061121.50.3
  Not severe6,8594063.10.23,0102712.00.23,66029910.80.8
Difficulty with speech2,6402541.20.11,3921850.90.18781472.60.4
  Severe6101230.30.1313880.20.1156620.50.2
  Not severe2,0302230.90.11,0791630.70.17221332.10.4
Walking/Using Stairs 
With a disability25,33975511.40.311,9475318.00.312,88355138.21.3
  Severe13,0685555.90.25,3873613.60.27,46542422.11.1
  Not severe12,2715385.50.26,5613984.40.35,41836216.11.0
Difficulty walking20,8866919.40.39,7084816.50.310,73450531.81.3
  Severe11,3605195.10.24,5763333.10.26,58639819.51.1
  Not severe9,5274774.30.25,1323533.40.24,14731712.30.9
Difficulty using stairs20,5156869.20.39,6554806.50.310,51150031.21.3
  Severe6,8714073.10.22,7432591.80.24,01231211.90.9
  Not severe13,6435666.10.36,9114084.60.36,49939619.31.1
Used a wheelchair or similar device2,7072571.20.11,0021570.70.11,5191934.50.6
Used a cane/crutches/walker9,1444674.10.23,3302852.20.25,68837116.91.0
Selected Physical Tasks 
With a disability18,2166498.20.38,9064616.00.38,85046026.21.2
  Severe7,9154363.60.23,4662912.30.24,25932212.60.9
  Not severe10,3014954.60.25,4403633.70.24,59133413.60.9
Difficulty lifting/carrying 10 lbs.15,4386006.90.37,3064194.90.37,73943122.91.1
  Severe7,5854273.40.23,2632822.20.24,15231812.30.9
  Not severe7,8534343.50.24,0443142.70.23,58729610.60.8
Difficulty grasping objects6,7434033.00.23,6002962.40.22,9782708.80.8
  Severe6901300.30.1310870.20.1331901.00.3
  Not severe6,0523822.70.23,2902832.20.22,6472547.80.7
Difficulty moving large chair (X)21,6537039.70.310,8515087.30.310,24849430.41.2
  Severe 8,3594473.80.24,6263353.10.23,48029110.30.8
  Not severe 13,2945596.00.26,2253884.20.36,76840420.11.1
Difficulty standing 1 hour (X)22,0737099.90.311,0345127.40.310,57350131.31.3
Difficulty sitting 1 hour (X)9,2094694.10.25,8023743.90.23,1682789.40.8
Difficulty crouching (X)25,02475111.30.312,6645478.50.411,82952935.11.3
Difficulty reaching overhead (X)10,8885084.90.25,4843643.70.25,17835415.31.0
Special Aids 
Used a wheelchair or similar device2,7072571.20.11,0021570.70.11,5191934.50.6
Used a cane/crutches/walker9,1444674.10.23,3302852.20.25,68837116.91.0
  Had used for 6 months or more7,2794183.30.22,4892471.70.24,71633814.00.9
Used a Hearing Aid (X)4,1083161.80.18621460.60.13,1552779.40.8
  Had difficulty hearing1,6392000.70.1343920.20.11,2721773.80.5
  Did not have difficulty hearing2,4692461.10.15191130.30.11,8822155.60.6
Activities of Daily Living 
With an ADL limitation8,0894403.60.23,7393022.50.24,14031712.30.9
  Needed personal assistance4,4783302.00.11,9092161.30.12,4032427.10.7
  Did not need personal assistance3,6112971.60.11,8312121.20.11,7382065.20.6
Difficulty getting around inside3,8813071.70.11,5651961.10.12,1942326.50.7
  Needed personal assistance2,1902321.00.17571360.50.11,3371814.00.5
  Did not need personal assistance1,6912040.80.18081410.50.18581452.50.4
Difficulty getting in/out of bed/chair5,5393662.50.22,5422491.70.22,8362638.40.8
  Needed personal assistance2,7642601.20.11,2191730.80.11,4171864.20.5
  Did not need personal assistance2,7742601.20.11,3231800.90.11,4191874.20.5
Difficulty taking a bath or shower4,9393462.20.21,9652191.30.12,8012628.30.7
  Needed personal assistance3,1862791.40.11,2131730.80.11,8322125.40.6
  Did not need personal assistance1,7532070.80.17511360.50.19691542.90.5
Difficulty dressing3,7293011.70.11,6442011.10.11,9292175.70.6
  Needed personal assistance2,5542501.10.11,0261590.70.11,3871844.10.5
  Did not need personal assistance1,1751700.50.16181230.40.15421161.60.3
Difficulty eating1,7272060.80.17391350.50.18761472.60.4
  Needed personal assistance1,0151580.50.1354930.20.15901201.70.4
  Did not need personal assistance7111320.30.1386970.30.1286840.80.2
Difficulty getting to/using the toilet2,5272491.10.11,0261590.70.11,3831844.10.5
  Needed personal assistance1,7152050.80.16481260.40.19671542.90.5
  Did not need personal assistance8121410.40.1378960.30.14161011.20.3
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living 
With an IADL limitation13,1645575.90.25,9383794.00.36,67140119.81.1
  Needed personal assistance10,1094914.50.24,2973232.90.25,34136015.81.0
  Did not need personal assistance3,0552731.40.11,6412011.10.11,3311813.90.5
Difficulty going outside alone8,8984614.00.23,6853002.50.24,92134514.61.0
  Needed personal assistance7,1414143.20.22,7512591.80.24,12231712.20.9
  Did not need personal assistance1,7572080.80.19341520.60.17991402.40.4
Difficulty managing money/bills4,8473432.20.21,9922211.30.12,5542507.60.7
  Needed personal assistance4,2553221.90.11,6662021.10.12,3032376.80.7
  Did not need personal assistance5921210.30.1327900.20.1250780.70.2
Difficulty preparing meals5,2003552.30.22,1012271.40.22,8442648.40.8
  Needed personal assistance4,4193282.00.11,7032041.10.12,4712467.30.7
  Did not need personal assistance7811390.40.1398990.30.1373961.10.3
Difficulty doing light housework6,9464093.10.23,0602732.10.23,63829810.80.8
  Needed personal assistance5,4763642.50.22,2452341.50.23,0372729.00.8
  Did not need personal assistance1,4701900.70.18151420.50.16011221.80.4
Difficulty taking prescriptions4,1883191.90.11,6362001.10.12,2472346.70.7
  Needed personal assistance3,4632901.60.11,3181800.90.11,8732145.60.6
  Did not need personal assistance7251340.30.1318890.20.1374961.10.3
Difficulty using the telephone2,8342631.30.19641540.60.11,6762035.00.6
  Unable to use ordinary phone1,0981640.50.1358940.20.16201241.80.4
  Able to use ordinary phone1,7372060.80.16061220.40.11,0571613.10.5
Need for Personal Assistance 
Number of ADLs or IADLs for which
assistance was needed
 
1 or more10,5675014.80.24,5863343.10.25,50336516.31.0
  13,6382981.60.11,7142051.20.11,7522075.20.6
  21,8352120.80.18851480.60.19091492.70.4
  3 or more5,0943512.30.21,9872211.30.12,8422638.40.8
Number of ADLs for which assistance
was needed
 
1 or more4,4783302.00.11,9092161.30.12,4032427.10.7
  11,5711960.70.18041410.50.17491362.20.4
  26761290.30.1246780.20.1402991.20.3
  3 or more2,2312341.00.18581450.60.11,2521753.70.5
Number of IADLs for which assistance
was needed
 
1 or more10,1094914.50.24,2973232.90.25,34136015.81.0
  13,8683071.70.11,8632141.30.11,8302125.40.6
  21,9212170.90.18121410.50.11,0521613.10.5
  3 or more4,3203241.90.11,6221991.10.12,4592457.30.7
Mental 
With a disability14,3295806.40.38,2294445.50.33,92130911.60.9
With one or more selected conditions7,9184363.60.24,5373323.00.21,6332004.80.6
  A learning disability3,4072881.50.12,0362231.40.1154620.50.2
  Mental retardation1,2211730.50.18271430.60.155370.20.1
  Alzheimers, senility, or dementia1,9372180.90.16481260.40.11,2591763.70.5
  Other mental/emotional condition2,9752691.30.12,1402291.40.2352931.00.3
With one or more selected symptoms7,9404363.60.25,2753573.50.21,7532075.20.6
  Frequently depressed or anxious6,6063993.00.24,5483323.10.21,3681834.10.5
  Trouble getting along with others2,1832311.00.11,4381881.00.1317880.90.3
  Trouble concentrating4,1793191.90.12,6572551.80.29121502.70.4
  Trouble coping with stress5,1543532.30.23,5392942.40.29681542.90.5
Difficulty managing money/bills4,8473432.20.21,9922211.30.12,5542507.60.7
Working at a Job 
Age 16 to 64184,4241,288100.0(NA)149,0311,337100.0(NA)(NA)(NA)(NA)(NA)
With disability-related problems (X)19,23766610.41.117,52963711.80.4(NA)(NA)(NA)(NA)
Has had difficulty remaining employed
or finding a job
11,8095296.41.110,8045067.20.3(NA)(NA)(NA)(NA)
Limited in kind or amount of work that
can be done (X)
17,3856359.41.115,92060910.70.4(NA)(NA)(NA)(NA)
  Prevented from working at a job (X)11,2575176.11.110,5425017.10.3(NA)(NA)(NA)(NA)
  Not prevented from working at a job (X)6,1283853.31.15,3783613.60.2(NA)(NA)(NA)(NA)
Working Around the House 
Age 16 and over218,1661,156100.0(NA)149,0311,337100.0(NA)33,742858100.0(NA)
Limited in kind/amount of housework
that can be done
18,1936488.30.310,0454896.70.37,42542222.01.1
  Prevented from doing housework5,2073552.40.22,3582401.60.22,5932527.70.7
  Not prevented from doing housework12,9875536.00.37,6874305.20.34,83334214.30.9
Program Participation (X) 
Under 65 and covered by Medicare4,7963412.50.24,7093383.20.2(NA)(NA)(NA)(NA)
Under 65 and received SSI4,4923302.40.23,9323092.60.2(NA)(NA)(NA)(NA)
Disability Domains 
With a disability in one domain26,00676411.70.314,2885799.60.49,42647427.91.2
  Communication2,7402591.20.11,7402071.20.18201422.40.4
  Physical18,8936608.50.310,0064886.70.38,33944724.71.2
  Mental4,3733262.00.12,5432491.70.2267810.80.2
With a disability in two domains14,2435786.40.37,6024275.10.36,02438117.91.0
  Communication and physical7,8344343.50.23,3662862.30.24,32132412.80.9
  Communication and mental6511270.30.14041000.30.182450.20.1
  Physical and mental5,7583732.60.23,8313052.60.21,6211994.80.6
With a disability in three domains4,4093272.00.11,9992211.30.12,1142276.30.7
Domain(s) not identified1,4671900.70.14611070.30.181450.20.1
No disability176,1021,30779.20.4124,6811,32483.70.516,09661247.71.4
Perceived Health Status (X) 
All disability statuses222,2261,134100.0(NA)149,0311,337100.0(NA)33,742858100.0(NA)
  Excellent66,9851,12730.10.543,88495829.40.62,8242638.40.7
  Very good70,3041,14631.60.551,3091,02134.40.67,12041421.11.1
  Good55,2891,05124.90.536,95689224.80.612,13853636.01.3
  Fair19,9596779.00.311,8035287.90.37,21741721.41.1
  Poor9,6894814.40.25,0793513.40.24,44232813.20.9
No disability176,1021,307100.0(NA)124,6811,324100.0(NA)16,096612100.0(NA)
  Excellent63,6521,10736.10.642,37394534.00.72,32123814.41.4
  Very good64,2571,11136.50.648,02699438.50.75,35936033.31.8
  Good4149893723.60.529,67381123.80.66,71640241.71.9
  Fair6,0683833.40.24,2373213.40.31,4701909.11.1
  Poor6261240.40.1371960.30.1230751.40.5
Disability, not severe15,636604100.0(NA)8,217444100.0(NA)5,202355100.0(NA)
  Excellent2,01222212.91.386114510.51.7266815.11.5
  Very good3,50729222.41.71,88421522.92.391515017.62.6
  Good6,21938739.81.93,38428741.22.72,34924045.23.4
  Fair3,33328521.31.61,86321422.72.31,34618225.93.0
  Poor5661183.60.7225742.70.9325896.21.7
Severe disability30,488820100.0(NA)16,133613100.0(NA)12,444542100.0(NA)
  Excellent1,3221804.30.66511274.00.8237761.90.6
  Very good2,5392498.30.81,3981858.71.18461446.81.1
  Good7,57242624.81.23,89930824.21.73,07327424.71.9
  Fair10,55850134.61.45,70337135.31.94,40132735.42.1
  Poor8,49645127.91.34,48333027.81.83,88730831.22.1


(NA) Not applicable.

(X) Not part of the disability definition.

Since this estimate is less than 200,000 (implying questionably small sample size), the estimate,
its confidence interval estimate, and any other estimate associated with it are unlikely to be accurate enough to
reveal useful information.

Note: For the definition of a disability, see text box titled "Definitions of a disability in a communication, mental,
or physical domain"
.


Go to Americans with Disabilities: 2002
Go to SIPP Disability Data
Contact the Demographic Call Center Staff at 301-763-2422 or 1-866-758-1060 (toll free) or visit ask.census.gov for further information on Disability Data.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Housing and Household Economic Statistics Division