The Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) defines disability as a substantial limitation in a major life activity. The Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) contains questions about the ability to perform a number of activities. If an individual reported having difficulty performing a specific activity, a follow-up question usually determined if the level of difficulty was severe or not. Responses to these and related questions were used to arrive at two overall measures of disability status. The criteria used to classify individuals by disability status are explained in the box on the next page.

This report presents information on the number and characteristics of individuals with disabilities and is based on data collected in wave 5 of the 1996 Panel of the SIPP. Wave 5 data were collected from August to November 1997. The SIPP is a household survey, and the estimates in this report exclude the population in institutions. Approximately 32,000 households were interviewed during wave 5 of the 1996 Panel.

Detailed Tables

Table 1. Prevalence of Disability by Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin [<1.0 MB]

Table 2. Prevalence of Types of Disability Among Individuals 15 Years Old and Over [<1.0 MB]

Table 3. Selected Characteristics of Individuals 25 Years Old and Over by Disability Status [<1.0 MB]

Table 4. Disability Status, Employment, and Annual Rate of Earnings for Individuals 21 to 64 Years Old [<1.0 MB]

Table 5. Disability Status of Children Under 15 Years Old [<1.0 MB]

Table A. Selected Disability Measures [<1.0 MB]

Others in Series

Publication

Household Net Worth and Asset Ownership: 1995

February 2001

This report presents data on the wealth and asset holdings of U.S. households in 1995.

Publication

What's It Worth? Field of Training and Economic Status: 1996

April 2001

This report explores school completion and degrees, fields of training, occupations pursued, and earnings obtained.

Publication

Living Arrangements of Children: 1996

April 2001

This report examines the diversity of children’s living arrangements in American households. The data are from the household relationship module of the SIPP.

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Related Information

PUBLICATION

Disability Publications

Page Last Revised - October 8, 2021

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