Accessibility

According to the Pew Research Center, there are approximately 42.5 million Americans with disabilities, accounting for 13% of the civilian noninstitutionalized population, as indicated by U.S. Census Bureau data from 2021. This diverse group encompasses individuals facing challenges related to hearing, vision, cognitive abilities, mobility, self-care, and independent living.

Despite progress, people with disabilities in the United States continue to encounter various accessibility obstacles in different spheres of their lives. These challenges include navigating physical facilities, securing meaningful employment, accessing necessary healthcare equipment, and receiving adequate support in educational settings.

Fast Facts

From Pew Research Center

46 percent of Americans ages 75 and older report having a disability.
Native Americans and Alaska Natives (18 percent) are more likely than Americans of other racial and ethnic backgrounds to report having a disability, according to the ACS estimates.
Americans with disabilities tend to earn less than those who do not have a disability.

Learn more about accessibility

30 Years After a Landmark Disability Law, the Fight for Access and Equality Continues

The majority of disabled Americans still struggle to find jobs, most affordable housing is still not accessible, and disabled Americans as a group experience much higher rates of poverty and incarceration.

Accessibility Report Finds Major Deficiencies In Government Services

U.S. government agencies have considerable work to do when it comes to making their digital services accessible to all Americans, according to a report released by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in late February.

Common Barriers to Participation Experienced by People with Disabilities

Often there are multiple barriers that can make it extremely difficult or even impossible for people with disabilities to function.

The Challenges of Living with a Disability in America, and How Serious Illness Can Add to Them

“My wheelchair equals ‘my legs.’ But under [Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services] rules, I can only get a new chair every five years,” says Burt Pusch, a lifelong disability advocate and retired university professor who receives his health coverage through Medicare. “A lot of the people I know have wheelchairs that are falling apart. Their chairs are literally being held together with duct tape and wire. These individuals have been denied approval for a new chair because of some arbitrary five-year magic window.”

Page updated

Report abuse