U.S. Census Bureau

 Disability






Americans with Disabilities: 1997 - Table 2

TABLE 2. PREVALENCE OF TYPES OF DISABILITY AMONG INDIVIDUALS 15 YEARS OLD AND OVER: 1997                               
(August-November 1997 data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation. Numbers in thousands.)

                                         15 years and over   15 to 24 years     25 to 64 years    65 years and over 
                                                   Percent            Percent            Percent            Percent 
                                         Number   distribu-  Number  distribu-  Number  distribu-  Number  distribu-
                                                      tion		tion		 tion               tion 
                                                                                                                    
Both sexes                               208,059     100.0   36,897     100.0  139,098     100.0   32,064     100.0 
                                                                                                                    
DISABILITY STATUS                                                                                                   
With a disability                         47,935      23.0    3,961      10.7   26,493      19.0   17,480      54.5 
   Severe                                 30,714      14.8    1,942       5.3   16,700      12.0   12,073      37.7 
   Not severe                             17,221       8.3    2,019       5.5    9,794       7.0    5,408      16.9 
No disability                            160,124      77.0   32,936      89.3  112,604      81.0   14,583      45.5 
                                                                                                                    
SEEING/HEARING/SPEAKING                                                                                             
With a disability                         14,613       7.0      608       1.6    6,963       5.0    7,042      22.0 
   Severe                                  2,883       1.4      121       0.3    1,174       0.8    1,588       5.0 
   Not severe                             11,731       5.6      487       1.3    5,789       4.2    5,454      17.0 
Had difficulty seeing words/letters        7,673       3.7      202       0.5    3,594       2.6    3,877      12.1 
   Severe                                  1,768       0.8       39       0.1      661       0.5    1,069       3.3 
   Not severe                              5,904       2.8      163       0.4    2,933       2.1    2,808       8.8 
Had difficulty hearing conversation        7,966       3.8      262       0.7    3,400       2.4    4,304      13.4 
   Severe                                    832       0.4       22       0.1      315       0.2      495       1.5 
   Not severe                              7,134       3.4      239       0.6    3,085       2.2    3,809      11.9 
Had difficulty with speech                 2,270       1.1      277       0.8    1,176       0.8      818       2.6 
   Severe                                    493       0.2       85       0.2      237       0.2      171       0.5 
   Not severe                              1,778       0.9      192       0.5      939       0.7      647       2.0 
                                                                                                                    
WALKING/USING STAIRS                                                                                                
With a disability                         25,138      12.1      619       1.7   11,717       8.4   12,803      39.9 
   Severe                                 14,698       7.1      251       0.7    5,883       4.2    8,563      26.7 
   Not severe                             10,441       5.0      367       1.0    5,833       4.2    4,240      13.2 
Had difficulty walking                    19,465       9.4      443       1.2    8,938       6.4   10,084      31.4 
   Severe                                  9,860       4.7      170       0.5    3,838       2.8    5,852      18.3 
   Not severe                              9,605       4.6      273       0.7    5,100       3.7    4,232      13.2 
Had difficulty using stairs               19,757       9.5      461       1.2    9,223       6.6   10,073      31.4 
   Severe                                  5,925       2.8      111       0.3    2,286       1.6    3,528      11.0 
   Not severe                             13,832       6.6      350       0.9    6,937       5.0    6,545      20.4 
Used a wheelchair                          2,155       1.0       95       0.3      843       0.6    1,216       3.8 
Used a cane/crutches/walker                6,372       3.1       54       0.1    2,141       1.5    4,176      13.0 

SELECTED PHYSICAL TASKS                                                                                             
With a disability                         18,071       8.7      419       1.1    8,803       6.3    8,849      27.6 
   Severe                                  7,964       3.8      194       0.5    3,372       2.4    4,399      13.7 
   Not severe                             10,107       4.9      226       0.6    5,431       3.9    4,450      13.9 
Had difficulty lifting/carrying 10 lbs.   15,198       7.3      336       0.9    7,098       5.1    7,764      24.2 
   Severe                                  7,720       3.7      182       0.5    3,247       2.3    4,291      13.4 
   Not severe                              7,478       3.6      154       0.4    3,851       2.8    3,473      10.8 
Had difficulty grasping objects            6,758       3.2      187       0.5    3,560       2.6    3,012       9.4 
   Severe                                    564       0.3       32       0.1      258       0.2      274       0.9 
   Not severe                              6,194       3.0      155       0.4    3,302       2.4    2,738       8.5 

SPECIAL AIDS                                                                                                        
Used a wheelchair                          2,155       1.0       95       0.3      843       0.6    1,216       3.8 
Used a cane/crutches/walker                6,372       3.1       54       0.1    2,141       1.5    4,176      13.0 
   Had used for 6 months or more           5,128       2.5       28       0.1    1,656       1.2    3,444      10.7 
Used a hearing aid /1                      3,972       1.9       95       0.3      880       0.6    2,997       9.3 
   Had difficulty hearing                  1,684       0.8       45       0.1      340       0.2    1,300       4.1 
   Did not have difficulty hearing         2,288       1.1       50       0.1      540       0.4    1,698       5.3 
   
                                                                                                                    
 TABLE 2. PREVALENCE OF TYPES OF DISABILITY AMONG INDIVIDUALS 15 YEARS OLD AND OVER: 1997                               
(August-November 1997 data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation. Numbers in thousands.)

                                         15 years and over   15 to 24 years     25 to 64 years    65 years and over 
                                                   Percent            Percent            Percent            Percent 
                                         Number   distribu-  Number  distribu-  Number  distribu-  Number  distribu-
                                                      tion		tion		 tion               tion 
ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING                                                                                          
With an ADL limitation                     8,672       4.2      185       0.5    3,928       2.8    4,559      14.2 
   Needed personal assistance              4,052       1.9      144       0.4    1,603       1.2    2,304       7.2 
   Did not need personal assistance        4,620       2.2       40       0.1    2,325       1.7    2,254       7.0 
Had difficulty getting around inside       3,680       1.8       96       0.3    1,412       1.0    2,171       6.8 
   Needed personal assistance              1,861       0.9       81       0.2      631       0.5    1,149       3.6 
   Did not need personal assistance        1,819       0.9       15       0.0      781       0.6    1,022       3.2 
Had difficulty getting in/out of bed/chair 6,179       3.0      142       0.4    2,960       2.1    3,078       9.6 
   Needed personal assistance              2,407       1.2      107       0.3    1,036       0.7    1,264       3.9 
   Did not need personal assistance        3,772       1.8       35       0.1    1,924       1.4    1,813       5.7 
Had difficulty taking a bath or shower     4,957       2.4      124       0.3    2,017       1.4    2,816       8.8 
   Needed personal assistance              2,897       1.4      112       0.3      982       0.7    1,803       5.6 
   Did not need personal assistance        2,060       1.0       12       0.0    1,034       0.7    1,013       3.2 
Had difficulty dressing                    3,541       1.7      134       0.4    1,551       1.1    1,856       5.8 
   Needed personal assistance              2,174       1.0      122       0.3      852       0.6    1,199       3.7 
   Did not need personal assistance        1,367       0.7       12       0.0      698       0.5      656       2.0 
Had difficulty eating                      1,497       0.7       88       0.2      587       0.4      822       2.6 
   Needed personal assistance                801       0.4       73       0.2      227       0.2      501       1.6 
   Did not need personal assistance          696       0.3       15       0.0      360       0.3      320       1.0 
Had difficulty getting to/using the toilet 2,297       1.1      104       0.3      830       0.6    1,363       4.3 
   Needed personal assistance              1,432       0.7       99       0.3      467       0.3      866       2.7 
   Did not need personal assistance          865       0.4        5       0.0      363       0.3      497       1.5 

INSTRUMENTAL ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING                                                                             
With an IADL limitation                   12,940       6.2      453       1.2    5,578       4.0    6,910      21.6 
   Needed personal assistance              9,444       4.5      359       1.0    3,880       2.8    5,204      16.2 
   Did not need personal assistance        3,496       1.7       93       0.3    1,697       1.2    1,706       5.3 
Had difficulty going outside alone         8,583       4.1      238       0.6    3,312       2.4    5,033      15.7 
   Needed personal assistance              6,613       3.2      197       0.5    2,294       1.6    4,122      12.9 
   Did not need personal assistance        1,969       0.9       41       0.1    1,017       0.7      911       2.8 
Had difficulty managing money/bills        4,636       2.2      288       0.8    1,946       1.4    2,402       7.5 
   Needed personal assistance              3,937       1.9      251       0.7    1,556       1.1    2,130       6.6 
   Did not need personal assistance          699       0.3       37       0.1      390       0.3      271       0.8 
Had difficulty preparing meals             4,739       2.3      206       0.6    1,838       1.3    2,695       8.4 
   Needed personal assistance              3,791       1.8      203       0.6    1,413       1.0    2,175       6.8 
   Did not need personal assistance          948       0.5        2       0.0      425       0.3      520       1.6 
Had difficulty doing light housework       6,455       3.1      175       0.5    2,735       2.0    3,545      11.1 
   Needed personal assistance              4,768       2.3      156       0.4    1,882       1.4    2,731       8.5 
   Did not need personal assistance        1,687       0.8       20       0.1      853       0.6      814       2.5 
Had difficulty taking prescriptions        3,821       1.8      237       0.6    1,547       1.1    2,037       6.4 
   Needed personal assistance              3,026       1.5      215       0.6    1,131       0.8    1,679       5.2 
   Did not need personal assistance          796       0.4       22       0.1      417       0.3      357       1.1 
Had difficulty using the telephone         2,863       1.4      142       0.4      948       0.7    1,774       5.5 
   Unable to use ordinary phone            1,054       0.5      101       0.3      348       0.2      606       1.9 
   Able to use ordinary phone              1,809       0.9       41       0.1      600       0.4    1,169       3.6 
                                                                                                                    
NEED FOR PERSONAL ASSISTANCE                                                                                        
Number of ADLs or IADLs for                                                                                         
  which assistance was needed                                                                                       
1 or more                                  9,851       4.7      372       1.0    4,140       3.0    5,339      16.7 
   1                                       3,508       1.7      112       0.3    1,581       1.1    1,815       5.7 
   2                                       1,723       0.8       54       0.1      774       0.6      896       2.8 
   3 or more                               4,620       2.2      206       0.6    1,786       1.3    2,628       8.2 
Number of ADLs for which assistance                                                                                 
  was needed                                                                                                        
1 or more                                  4,052       1.9      144       0.4    1,603       1.2    2,304       7.2 
   1                                       1,453       0.7       25       0.1      568       0.4      861       2.7 
   2                                         712       0.3       21       0.1      354       0.3      337       1.1 
   3 or more                               1,887       0.9       99       0.3      681       0.5    1,106       3.5 
Number of IADLs for which assistance                                                                                
  was needed                                                                                                        
1 or more                                  9,444       4.5      359       1.0    3,880       2.8    5,204      16.2 
   1                                       3,777       1.8      106       0.3    1,698       1.2    1,974       6.2 
   2                                       1,843       0.9       62       0.2      779       0.6    1,002       3.1 
   3 or more                               3,824       1.8      192       0.5    1,403       1.0    2,229       7.0 




 TABLE 2. PREVALENCE OF TYPES OF DISABILITY AMONG INDIVIDUALS 15 YEARS OLD AND OVER: 1997                               
(August-November 1997 data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation. Numbers in thousands.)

                                         15 years and over   15 to 24 years     25 to 64 years    65 years and over 
                                                   Percent            Percent            Percent            Percent 
                                         Number   distribu-  Number  distribu-  Number  distribu-  Number  distribu-
                                                      tion		tion		 tion               tion 

MENTAL                                                                                                              
With a disability                         14,267       6.9    2,021       5.5    8,334       6.0    3,912      12.2 
With one or more selected conditions       8,144       3.9    1,513       4.1    4,909       3.5    1,722       5.4 
   A learning disability                   3,451       1.7    1,048       2.8    2,193       1.6      210       0.7 
   Mental retardation                      1,366       0.7      264       0.7      988       0.7      114       0.4 
   Alzheimers, senility, or dementia       1,873       0.9       58       0.2      595       0.4    1,219       3.8 
   Other mental/emotional condition        3,418       1.6      497       1.3    2,415       1.7      506       1.6 
With one or more selected symptoms   
 that seriously interfered with
 everyday activities                       6,862       3.3      734       2.0    4,454       3.2    1,684       5.3 
   Frequently depressed or anxious         5,615       2.7      511       1.4    3,848       2.8    1,256       3.9 
   Trouble getting along with others       1,816       0.9      346       0.9    1,145       0.8      325       1.0 
   Trouble concentrating                   3,753       1.8      480       1.3    2,307       1.7      967       3.0 
   Trouble coping with stress              4,659       2.2      508       1.4    3,180       2.3      971       3.0 
Had difficulty keeping track 
   of money/bills			      4,636       2.2      288       0.8    1,946       1.4    2,402       7.5 


WORKING AT A JOB                                                                                                    
Age 16 to 64                             172,030     100.0   32,932     100.0  139,098     100.0       na       na  
With disability-related 
   employment problems                    18,475      10.7    1,679       5.1   16,796      12.1       na       na  
Has had difficulty remaining employed                                                                               
  or finding a job                        11,286       6.6      933       2.8   10,354       7.4       na       na  
Limited in kind or amount of work                                                                                   
  that can be done                        16,874       9.8    1,408       4.3   15,466      11.1       na       na  
   Prevented from working at a job         9,699       5.6      581       1.8    9,117       6.6       na       na  
   Not prevented from working at a job     7,175       4.2      826       2.5    6,349       4.6       na       na  
                                                                                                                    
WORKING AROUND THE HOUSE                                                                                            
Age 16 and over                          204,094     100.0   32,932     100.0  139,098     100.0   32,064     100.0 
Limited in kind/amount of housework                                                                                 
  that can be done                        17,588       8.6      615       1.9    9,318       6.7    7,655      23.9 
   Prevented from doing housework          4,355       2.1      138       0.4    1,918       1.4    2,299       7.2 
   Not prevented from doing housework     13,233       6.5      477       1.4    7,399       5.3    5,356      16.7 
                                                                                                                    
PROGRAM PARTICIPATION                                                                                               
Under 65 and covered by Medicare           4,346       2.1       76       0.2    4,270       3.1       na        na 
Under 65 and received SSI                  4,009       1.9      614       1.7    3,396       2.4       na        na 

DISABILITY DOMAINS                                                                                                  
With a disability in one domain           27,952      13.4    2,437       6.6   16,137      11.6    9,377      29.2 
   Communication                           2,940       1.4      241       0.7    1,851       1.3      848       2.6 
   Physical                               21,077      10.1      882       2.4   11,868       8.5    8,326      26.0 
   Mental                                  3,935       1.9    1,314       3.6    2,418       1.7      203       0.6 
With a disability in two domains          13,582       6.5      681       1.8    7,079       5.1    5,823      18.2 
   Communication and physical              7,544       3.6      150       0.4    3,111       2.2    4,282      13.4 
   Communication and mental                  727       0.3      133       0.4      457       0.3      137       0.4 
   Physical and mental                     5,312       2.6      398       1.1    3,511       2.5    1,403       4.4 
With a disability in three domains         4,294       2.1      177       0.5    1,949       1.4    2,168       6.8 
Domain(s) not identified                   2,107       1.0      666       1.8    1,328       1.0      112       0.4 
No disability                            160,124      77.0   32,936      89.3  112,604      81.0   14,583      45.5 

na  Not applicable.
1.  The use of a hearing aid is not part of the disability definition.

Go to Americans with Disabilities: 1997
Go to SIPP Disability Data


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