The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law by then-President George H.W. Bush in 1990, is the nation’s strongest measure protecting the civil rights of people with disabilities. It bars discrimination based on disability and guarantees equal access to public buildings and businesses, employment opportunities, transportation, telecommunications, commercial facilities, and state and local government services.

The following facts are possible thanks to the invaluable responses to U.S. Census Bureau surveys. We appreciate the public’s cooperation as we measure America’s people, places and economy. 

44.1 million or 13.4% 

The total U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability in 2022. 

19.4% 

The percentage of West Virginia’s civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability in 2022, the highest share of any state in the nation. Utah, at 10.6%, had one of the nation’s lowest rates of disability.

9.8 million

The total U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population ages 18 to 64 with a disability employed in 2022. 

$30,885

Median earnings (in 2022 inflation-adjusted dollars) of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population ages 16 and over with a disability with earnings during the previous 12 months in 2022. 

• Employment Status by Disability Status
• Selected Economic Characteristics for the Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population by Disability Status

The 2022 American Community Survey 1-year estimates provided a detailed profile of the U.S. population with a disability. Statistics include:

• Sex.
• Race.
• Age.
• Hearing difficulty by age.
• Vision difficulty by age.
• Cognitive difficulty by age.
• Ambulatory difficulty by age.
• Self-care difficulty by age.
• Independent living difficulty by age.

Past Facts for Features

• Facts for Features: Anniversary of Americans With Disabilities Act: July 26, 2023
• Facts for Features: Anniversary of Americans With Disabilities Act: July 26, 2022
• Facts for Features: Anniversary of Americans With Disabilities Act: July 26, 2021
• Facts for Features: Anniversary of Americans With Disabilities Act: July 26, 2020

America Counts Stories

• Disability Rates Higher in Rural Areas Than Urban Areas

Blogs

• U.S. Childhood Disability Rate Up in 2019 From 2008
• Do People With Disabilities Earn Equal Pay?
• The Occupations of Workers with Disabilities
• The Age and Disability Paradox

Graphics

• Types of Disabilities
• The Relationship Between Health Conditions and the Core Disability Question Set
• Working With a Disability (2018)
• How Common Are Specific Disabilities by Age? (2017)
• Aging-Accessible Homes (2017)
• Prevalence of Disabilities for Ages 18+ (2016)
• Business Owners With a Disability by Minority Status: 2021

• U.S. Census Bureau Releases New Brief on Childhood Disability
• Americans with Disabilities: 2014
• Older Americans With a Disability: 2008-2012

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