| The newest disability statistics have been released. | | | | for those without disabilities is $61,000. For those with, it |
| These numbers show facts and figures on those with | | | | is $38,400. That is a gap of $22,600! These rates put |
| disabilities in the United States with comparisons in | | | | those with disabilities in a much greater risk of being in |
| regards to those without disabilities. The importance of | | | | the poverty status. As another note, the buying power |
| these statistics includes:o Figures on the amounts of | | | | which feeds the economy is directly affected. |
| those with disabilitieso The type of disability with a | | | | Education among those with disabilities may surprise |
| higher percentage of employmento Overall earningso | | | | you as they overall have a better degree than those |
| Educationo Poverty rates | | | | without a disability. Those with only a high school |
| We need to understand these figures because they | | | | diploma rates were 35.3% with disabilities and 28.1% |
| directly relate to the well being of those with disabilities | | | | without one. It may also surprise you that when it |
| and our economy. | | | | comes to higher education 12.5% of those with a |
| The percentage of individuals age 21 to 64 in the | | | | disability have a Bachelor's Degree or higher. Sensory |
| United States who are disabled is 12.8%. Findings | | | | disabilities have the highest percentages at 14.1%. |
| conclude that the State with the highest amount is | | | | However we must take all of these facts and figures |
| West Virginia with 22.4% and New Jersey with the | | | | and combine them to look at the poverty rates which |
| lowest at 9.3%. | | | | affect all of the United States, each and every one of |
| When it comes to employment those with a sensory | | | | us. This effect on the disabled can be so challenging |
| disability have the highest employment rate. The United | | | | for day to day life. |
| States employment rate (for disabilities) is 36.9%. The | | | | The poverty rate is at 9% for those without a disability |
| gap in employment is a staggering 42.8% between | | | | but for those with it is 24.7%. That is almost a quarter |
| those with disabilities and those without! North Dakota | | | | of the population! The lowest is for sensory but that |
| has the best rates with 56% and West Virginia has | | | | rate is still high at 22.1%. We need to look ahead at |
| the lowest at 26.6%. | | | | how we can improve upon the figures. |
| Looking at these figures we can see how the lack of | | | | What can we do? Adaptive technology, education, |
| employment directly affects the well being of people in | | | | and work from home opportunities are a few options |
| the lack of making a way for ones self and being | | | | that need to be considered. It is a collaborative effort |
| self-sufficient. The economy as a whole suffers as | | | | though that we all need to make. This is something |
| well. The rolls in the form of Social Security payments | | | | that I do and it is so rewarding to see the effect upon |
| and health care are only the tip of the iceberg. | | | | lives and the enrichment it provides. |
| Overall earnings are directly affected due to | | | | Reference: |
| employment figures. The medium household income | | | | Cornell University. 2008. 2007 Disability Status Report. |