People with disabilities in the United States are a significant minority group, making up a fifth of the overall population and over half of Americans older than eighty.
"[4] Critics indicated that this language limited the concept of disability to an occupational scope, and more holistic definitions were adopted as time passed.
[6][7] For instance, in a 2013 study, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) evaluated disability across five dimensions: vision, cognition, mobility, self-care, and independent living.
[3] The burgeoning of disability rights legislation in the 1900s came after World War I with congress' establishment of the Rehabilitation Programs, which provided education and healthcare support to recovering veterans.
[3] Significant progress came in the 1930s with the presidential election of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was physically disabled himself, and his signage of the Social Security Act.
They represented 19.3 percent of the 257.2 million people who were aged 5 and older in the civilian non-institutionalized population – or nearly one person in five...[12]This percentage varies depending on how disabilities are defined.
It may be helpful to note that disability in the United States is classified under different types of physical or mental impairments of which include one's ability to physically function, mental status, including decision skills and memory, the ability of sight, if they are self-sufficient, and finally, if they depend on anyone to help them do tasks [citation needed].
"[13] The United States Census Bureau is legally charged with developing information on the type and prevalence of disability in the population.
[14] The primary purpose of collecting ACS data on disability is to help the U.S. Congress determine the allocation of federal funds and inform policies.
[16] Determining the number and geographical location of people with disabilities is crucial for policies aimed at providing services like public transportation.
[23][24][25] While responses to these items are commonly refer to as "disability", it could be argued the —it uses self- and proxy-reports to evaluate perceived ability to perform functional tasks.
[52] Disabled Black Americans face barriers to receiving comprehensive medical care to address their pre-existing health conditions.
[53][54] In studies published in the Journals of Applied Gerontology it was noted that elderly African American women face a greater likelihood of acquiring disability in comparison their white counterparts, and additionally are more likely to rely on medicaid for coverage.
Employment protection laws make discrimination against qualified individuals with a disability illegal and may also require the provision of reasonable accommodation.
Though many hold attitudes that are more enlightened and informed than past years, the word "disability" carries few positive connotations for most employers.
[58] An article in the Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal expresses that as a consequence physicians frequently go into consults with rigid, skewed perceptions of their patient's disabilities.
[59] Anita Ho, a bioethicist, argues that heightened practitioner confidence can harmfully impact disabled individuals in this regard as it increases the likelihood that patients may distrust their physicians or conversely place excessive faith in their care provider's insight into their condition.
[72][75] The Social Security Administration (SSA), defines disability in terms of an individual's inability to perform substantial gainful activity (SGA), by which it means "work paying minimum wage or better".
Briefly, the SSDI is a program that is useful in the sense that it is like welfare, but you must have been able to work enough hours throughout your life and you must have paid social security taxes in order to be approved.
The IEP is compiled by a team of school administrators and guardians and may include a child advocate, counselors, occupational therapists, or other specialists.
[84] In a 2007 study of a higher education institution located in the Midwestern United States, it was found that one-third of students with disabilities felt their transition preparation was lacking.
[85] Education helps students with disabilities learn self-advocacy skills that affect their ability to advocate for their health, insurance, and other needs.
[91] Disabled citizens in the United States receive Medicare insurance and social security benefits to varying degrees.
This act was an attempt to facilitate the large number of disabled servicemen returning from the front lines "to the extent necessary to prevent curtailment of opportunities for employment".
Many are unemployed because of prejudiced assumptions that a person with disabilities is unable to complete tasks that are commonly required in the workforce.
Many advocacy groups protested against such discrimination, asking the federal government to implement laws and policies that would help individuals with disabilities.
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was enacted with the purpose of protecting individuals with disabilities from prejudicial treatment by government-funded programs, employers, and agencies.
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 has not only helped protect U.S. citizens from being discriminated against but it has also created confidence amongst individuals to feel more comfortable with their disability.
The development of disability arts in the U.S. is also tied to several non-profit organizations such as Creative Growth in Oakland, California, that serves adult artists with developmental, mental and physical disabilities, providing a professional studio environment for artistic development, gallery exhibition and representation and a social atmosphere among peers.
[101] Organizations with similar mandates in the Bay Area include Creativity Explored in San Francisco, and NIAD Art Center in Richmond, California.