54 million Americans live with a disability, that’s 19% of the population

• 5 percent of children 5 to 17 have disabilities.
• 10 percent of people 18 to 64 have disabilities.
• 38 percent of adults 65 and older have disabilities.
  Source: 2008 American Community Survey

• 12.4% are female
• 11.7% are male
  Source: 2008 American Community Survey

• 11 million Americans are using or need assistance with everyday activities. These activities include such tasks as getting around inside the home, taking a bath or shower, preparing meals and performing light housework.
• 3.3 million Americans 15 and older use a wheelchair, another 10 million use a walking aid, such as a cane, crutches or walker.
• 1.8 million Americans 15 and older who report being unable to see printed words.
• 1 million Americans 15 and older are unable to hear conversations.
• 2.5 million Americans 15 and older have difficulty having their speech understood. Of these, 431,000 were unable to have their speech understood.
• 16.1 million Americans have limitations in cognitive functioning or have a mental or emotional illness that interferes with daily activities. That’s 7 percent of the population 15 and older, including 8 million with one or more problems that interfere with daily activities, such as frequently being depressed or anxious, trouble getting along with others, trouble concentrating and trouble coping with stress.

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