TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Quality Of Life Better, But Disparities Remain

ADVERTISEMENT

By VICKIE BECK

Tribune correspondent

Published: October 18, 2008

This year marks the 18th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a landmark piece of legislation often referred to as the civil rights law for people with disabilities. The ADA is the major force behind improved access to public and commercial buildings and facilities, public transportation, government services and employment.

Another law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, is meant to ensure that educational opportunities for people with disabilities are provided in the least restrictive environment possible.

There is no doubt the ADA has changed the landscape of the country, making it much easier to travel across the country, go to the mall or even cross the street because of a proliferation of ramps, large parking spaces, curb cuts, etc. While these changes have made a tremendous difference in the quality of life of people with disabilities, there are still disparities in education, employment and income. And, especially in difficult economic times, there seems to be a perception that much is required and provided for a small segment for our population.

But annual statistics provided by the U.S. Census Bureau clearly show that it is not a small group. Eighteen percent (51.2 million people) of Americans have some level of disability; 32.5 million have a severe disability. While the largest segment (72 percent) is 80 and older, there are also 4 million children (ages 6 to 14) with disabilities, as well as teens and younger adults.

The way the Census Bureau defines severe and nonsevere disability requires an entire questionnaire of its own, but basically, having a severe disability means using a wheelchair or other mobility device when over the age of 6, having a developmental or mental disability, or needing assistance with at least one recognized "activity of daily living."

When divided by major types of disabilities - vision, hearing, speech, mobility and cognitive function - the largest group, 14.3 million, has some form of mental or emotional difficulty. The next largest segment, 11.8 million, has mobility problems.

These groups are followed by those with difficulties involving speech, vision and hearing.

Significantly, while many people with disabilities are college graduates (33 percent of those with nonsevere disabilities, and 22 percent with severe disabilities), employment statistics remain disturbing.

For example, while 56 percent of people ages 21 to 64 with disabilities were employed in 2007, only 44 percent of those with a nonsevere disability, and 13 percent with a severe disability, worked full time all year. In the overall population, 88 percent of the working-age population was employed, and 53 percent worked full time, year-round.

The disparity in employment statistics obviously contributes to income difficulties. The median income for a person with a severe disability is $12,800. It's $22,000 for those with a nonsevere disability and $25,000 for the nondisabled. Thirty-seven percent of people with disabilities live in poverty, compared with 8 percent of those without disabilities.

According to another government initiative, Healthy 2010, the number of people with disabilities is increasing among both young and older populations.

Education and income are among the factors that affect health and fitness, including access to information and facilities. While there seem to be countless programs, initiatives and even laws designed to assist people with disabilities, clearly something still needs to be done.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT