Why are disability statistics so variable?
- Differences in How “Disability” is Defined
Many definitions of the concept of “disability” and not all surveys use same definition - Differences in Data Collection Methods
Some are self-report, some based on observation - Political or Public Relations Biases
Some countries, organizations are reluctant to report accurate numbers (for fear it will look unfavorable)
What is an example of how we are all susceptible to disabilities?
- An able-bodied person can acquire a disability through an illness or accident
What are some of the figures cited regarding worldwide disability incidences?
- The United Nations says 15%
- European Women’s Lobby says 10% (with women more susceptible to disability and discrimination than men)
- WHO says 15%
What are some disability stats from around the world (as cited in DU)?
- US: 10-20%
- UK: 15-25%
- Canada: 12-14%
- EU: 15%
- Finland: 32%
- Phillipines: 1-8%
- Latin America and the Caribbean: 10%
- Japan: 6%
- China 5%
What percentage of older adults have disabilities?
- Most estimates say 30%-60%
Additional info:
- Older people are more likely to have disabilities.
- We often acquire multiple disabilities as a natural part of the aging process.
How do the percentages of people with disabilities compare between people of any age, vs. 70+ and 80+ years old?
- Any age: 10%
- 70+: 20%
- 85+: 50%
What are some of the types and ranges of percentages of disabilities for people aged 65+ in the US?
- Vision: ~10-20%
- Hearing: ~15-40%
- Cognitive: ~10-30%
- Ambulatory: ~25-65%
- Self-Care: ~10-30%
- Independent Living: ~15-50%
What is the connection between disabilities and lower levels of education?
- People with disabilities tend to be less educated than the general population
- In the case of severe disabilities, the individuals may not be capable of completing a traditional education through the school system.
- Sometimes a school or institution is not equipped to handle students with disabilities
What are the consequences of lower education levels for people with disabilities?
- May not be as qualified for a job as other candidates - so less likely to get the job
- Leads to vicious cycle of poverty and lost opportunities that can be very difficult to overcome
What is the connection between disabilities, workplace discrimination, and unemployment?
- Statistically speaking, people with disabilities as a group tend to be disproportionately represented among those who are unemployed or under-employed, even after taking their disability into account
- In most cases, people with disabilities are willing and able to perform when given a chance. In only a minority of cases does the disability itself and/or related health issues severely limit the individual’s ability to work, or prevent it entirely.
- Workplace discrimination often reduces employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
In what ways are disabilities expensive?
- Can be expensive for the person and the family members / care-givers
- Cost of daily tasks is often higher for a person with a disability, when compared to someone without
- Many people with disabilities who need these supports cannot afford them - a difficult cycle to break out of
What percentage of people with disabilities live in poverty in the United States? How likely are they to live in poverty in the US, as compared to the general population?
- ~30% of people with disabilities live below the poverty line in the US.
- In the United States, people with disabilities are 2x as likely to live in poverty as the general population.
What percentage of people with disabilities age 65 and older in the United States are living with ambulatory disabilities?
23%.
According to the United Nations, what is the average number of years people spend living with a disability in a country where the life expectancy is 70 years or more?
8 years
True or False: People with disabilities who are willing and able to work may face difficulty obtaining and/or retaining opportunities due to job discrimination and lack of reasonable job accommodations.
True
How should you act around a person with a disability?
- Think of them as people and recognize them as individuals
- Act around them as you would other people and the rest will flow naturally (for the most part)
What does it mean to use “people first” language?
If a person’s disability must be mentioned in conversation or writing, refer to the person first, then the disability.
Examples
* a person with epilepsy
* John, who has epilepsy
What is the “people first” way to refer to: “the disabled, the handicapped”?
People with disabilities
What is the “people first” way to refer to: “crippled, physically handicapped or wheelchair bound”?
- A person with a physical disability/impairment
- wheelchair user
What is the “people first” way to refer to: “a disease or defect”
A condition.
What is the “people first” way to refer to: “the Blind”?
- People who are blind
- People who are partially sighted, or
- People who are visually impaired
What is the “people first” way to refer to: “the deaf, or hearing impaired”?
- People who are deaf
- People who are hard of hearing.
If a person with a disability has a companion or interpreter, what should you do?
- Acknowledge the person with the disability directly
- Do not make statements intended for the person to his/her companion
How should you position yourself when speaking with a person who uses a wheelchair?
- Consider kneeling or sitting in a chair when engaged in a lengthy conversation - this helps to maintain eye contact without putting strain on their neck
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Basic Concepts and Theoretical Models of Disability30
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Types of Disabilities100
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Disability Statistics & Etiquette36
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Benefits of Accessible Design14
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Web Accessibility Principles48
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Universal Design for the Web33
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Universal Design for the Physical World84
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Universal Design for Learning49
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Usability and Accessibility5
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Accessibility Laws22
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Organizational Governance and Management12
