Disability Data Resources
Who are people with disabilities? What do we know about people with disabilities? How many individuals with disabilities use assistive devices? How many people with disabilities are working? What are people with disabilities' demographics? These are just a few of the questions that are asked every day as we develop and implement programs and strategies to combat the high unemployment rate of persons with disabilities. Numerous resources are available to provide statistical data to answer these questions and provide information on other disability related topics. Many resources now post their information on Web sites, which makes researching disability data readily accessible and fast. Outlined below is information on some of the data resources regarding people with disabilities.
Disclaimer: The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide you with disability research related resources. U.S. Department of Labor, Office Disability Employment Policy does not endorse these sites.
Statistics Resources
The following resources provide statistical data to answer questions and information on disability statistics-related topics.
- FedStats
FedStats is the new window on the full range of official statistical information available to the public from the Federal Government. Use the Internet's powerful linking and searching capabilities to track economic and population trends, education, health care costs, aviation safety, foreign trade, energy use, farm production, and more. Access official statistics collected and published by more than 100 Federal agencies without having to know in advance which agency produces them.
- The Census Bureau
The United States Bureau of the Census provides data on disability based on four primary sources: the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), the decennial census of population, the Current Population Survey (CPS), and American Community Survey (ACS).
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics. The goals of the agency are to: measure the economy through producing and disseminating timely, accurate, and relevant information in our areas of expertise, and improve accuracy, efficiency, and relevance of our economic measures and program outputs through increased application of state-of-the-art statistical techniques, economic concepts, technology, and management processes.
- National Center for Education Statistics
NCES is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data that are related to education.
- Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
OSEP is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) authorizes formula grants to states, and discretionary grants to institutions of higher education and other non-profit organizations to support research, demonstrations, technical assistance and dissemination, technology and personnel development, and parent-training and information centers.
- Rehabilitation Services Administration
RSA evaluates all programs authorized by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. For example, to assess linkages between vocational rehabilitation (VR) services and economic and non-economic outcomes, RSA is conducting a longitudinal study of a national sample of VR consumers. RSA may also disseminate information on exemplary practices concerning vocational rehabilitation.
- National Center on Health Statistics (NCHS)
NCHS is a key element of our national public health infrastructure, providing important surveillance information that helps identify and address critical health problems. As the Nation's principal health statistics agency, NCHS compiles statistical information to guide actions and policies to improve the health of our people.
- Disability Statistics Center
The Disability Statistics Center produces and disseminates policy-relevant statistical information on the demographics and status of people with disabilities in American society. The Center's work focuses on how that status is changing over time with regard to employment, access to technology, health care, community-based services, and other aspects of independent living and participation in society.
- Disability Statistics: An Online Resource for U.S. Disability Statistics
The website provides access to comprehensive, up-to-date U.S. disability statistics via graphs & charts, tables, and written descriptions. Currently, all statistics are estimated by Cornell University using the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey - Annual Demographic Supplement.
- Disability Data Resources
This page lists a number of sites that offer information on chartbook on disability and employment in the United States.
Disability Research Resources
The following resources provide information and data for disability-related research.
- The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)
The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) provide leadership and support for a comprehensive program of research related to the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities. All of the programmatic efforts are aimed at improving the lives of individuals with disabilities from birth through adulthood.
- Interagency Committee on Disability Research
The Interagency Committee on Disability Research (ICDR), authorized by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, is mandated "to promote coordination and cooperation among Federal departments and agencies conducting rehabilitation research programs."
- National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Adult
The National Center on Workforce and Disability/Adult (NCWD) provides training, technical assistance, policy analysis, and information to improve access for all in the workforce development system.
- Employment and Disability Institute, Cornell University
The Employment and Disability Institute (EDI), housed within the Industrial and Labor Relations School (ILR) at Cornell University, conducts research and provides continuing education and technical assistance on many aspects of disability in the workplace.
- John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development
The John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development is a research and policy organization dedicated to applying the best research to address the core challenges of New Jersey's and the nation's workforce.
- Law, Health Policy & Disability Center
The Law, Health Policy & Disability Center conducts basic and applied research. Research topics include employment of people with disabilities, civil rights, and federal and state generic and disability policy.
- Disability Research Institute, University of Illinois- Urbana/Champaign
The Institute conducts cutting-edge research with teams across the nation to develop high-quality research that directly informs disability policy decision-makers in new and innovative ways.
- National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth
The NCWD-Y website provides useful information and resources for youth with disabilities and their families, service providers and other front line workers, administrators, policy makers and employers. The content is continually updated and features access to such materials as an information brief on "How Young People Can Benefit from One-Stop Centers," frequently asked questions pertinent to specific audiences, materials on promising practices and procedures in workforce development as well as the latest information on the Collaborative's activities.
- National Center on Secondary Education and Transition
The National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) coordinates national resources, offers technical assistance, and disseminates information related to secondary education and transition for youth with disabilities in order to create opportunities for youth to achieve successful futures.
- National Longitudinal Transition Study
The National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2) is a study begun in 2001, focusing on a wide range of important topics, such as high school coursework, extracurricular activities, academic performance, postsecondary education and training, employment, independent living, and community participation.
- National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY)
The new center, called the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, will be serving as a central source of information on: IDEA, the nation's special education law, No Child Left Behind (as it relates to children with disabilities), and Research-based information on effective educational practices.
