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U.S. Census Questions

One of the usual sources for estimates of the size of the population of people with disabilities in the United States in the U.S. Census. The Census Bureau has framed a set of questions about functional limitations quite broadly. There are no questions about specific conditions.

U.S. Census Questions

Does this person have any of the following long-lasting conditions:

a. Blindness, deafness, or a severe vision or hearing impairment?

b. A condition that substantially limits one or more basic physical activities such as walking, climbing stairs, reaching, lifting, or carrying?

Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition lasting 6 months or more, does this person have any difficulty in doing any of the following activities:

a. Learning, remembering, or concentrating?

b. Dressing, bathing, or getting around inside the home?

Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition lasting 6 months or more, does this person have any difficulty in doing any of the following activities:

a. Going outside the home alone to shop or visit a doctor’s office?

b. Working at a job or business?

Using these questions, people with specific health conditions are not directly identified and are counted only if they report one of these impairments/functional limitations/participation restrictions. Since the Census asks questions about limitations and participation restrictions, it tells us about patterns in the kinds of limitations Americans report rather than giving us an actual count by type of disability.

Why These Questions?

There are three main reasons the Census Bureau framed these questions in this broad manner. 1

  • First, it is too expensive and time consuming to ask people about specific health conditions.
  • Second, these questions are based on a review of the statutory requirements for data; i.e., the data the Census Bureau must by law collect.
  • Third, the general idea is to collect data on disability not specific (even chronic) health condition, and the underlying assumption is that not all health conditions are disabling.

1Houtenville, Andrew J., Director, Cornell University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, personal email communication, June 22, 2005