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The Demographics of Disability Developed by the National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD) 415 Michigan Avenue, NE, Suite 240 Washington, DC 20017-4501 February, 2003 General Background Harris Interactive, Inc. formerly Louis Harris and Associates, (212/539-9600) a New York based survey company, was the first to report on how non-institutionalized people with disabilities were faring in 1986 in The ICD Survey of Disabled Americans: Bringing Disabled Americans into the Mainstream. This examination was commissioned by the U.S. National Council on Disabilities and the International Center on Disability and provided the data used by Congress in crafting the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, often cited as one of our most important civil rights legislation since it covered such a large minority of citizens. Most recently the 2000 N.O.D./Harris Survey of Americans with Disabilities, as well as other studies and U.S. Census Bureau reports have supported the findings of the Harris studies which were used in preparing the following report. Total Number of People Defined as Disabled In 1987, when the first drafts of the ADA were being seriously considered, official estimates were that 43 million people would be covered by this federal law. Today that number has risen to 58 million according to the International Center for Disability Information. Various summaries, including those issued by the ICDI and the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, indicate that 20% of the population has one or more disabilities and that approximately 10% of that number live with severe disabilities. On the basis of such studies, NCPD suggests the numbers of Catholics with disabilities in the United States exceeds fourteen million. Who We Are Describing People with disabilities are a part of every demographic classification, although they are often clustered at the outer margins of any particular category: the poorest of those in economic distress, the most unschooled of the inadequately educated, and the most commonly unemployed. Disabling conditions can add one more barrier to overcome for those already members of any other minority. People without disabilities are over twice as likely to have graduated from high school and only one-third as likely to have an annual household income less than $15,000. People with disabilities are three times more likely to lack adequate transportation and when it comes to health care, Americans with disabilities are over three times less likely to have received needed care on at least one occasion in the past year. They are more than twice as likely to postpone or put off needed health care because they cannot afford it (28% versus 12%). People with disabilities are less likely to socialize with friends, family and neighbors at least once per week (70%) or attend religious services at least once per month (47%) than their non-disabled counterparts. They are also less likely to be seen in our supermarkets, stores and malls, movies, theaters, live music performances, sporting events or events related to their hobbies such as dancing, art shows or events for collectors than those with similar needs or interests who are not disabled. This is true even when comparing people at similar income levels. The gap in “life satisfaction” is marked (33% versus 67%). It is important to note that a higher percentage of people with disabilities can be expected within populations which include greater risk factors, such as those which have traditionally held menial jobs or lacked adequate medical coverage. A 1991 Harris study indicated one family in three has a relative with a disability. It also confirmed that familiarity with disabilities, whether through movies or direct interaction, brings about greater comfort in dealing with diverse functional levels. NCPD recognizes Catholics with disabilities as integral members of our inclusive church, noting that their involvement can reinforce our sense of unity in Christ. They are our brothers and sisters in the spirit as well as in the flesh. Sorts of Disabling Conditions We Should Expect to Find in Any Inclusive Environment: Recent strategies in accommodating and maximizing the God-given potential of individuals with a variety of disabilities focuses more upon the accommodations needed to maximize functional levels than on the clinical category into which such individuals might be placed. (One person with a given impairment might require extensive services, while another with the same label might require few or none.) However, because it may be helpful to have an indication of the distribution patterns to be found among those 14 million Catholics, the following information is offered. It should be noted that if our Church were truly inclusive, we might expect such representation not only in our parishes but in leadership roles as well. § 58% of the total disability population (8.1 million Catholics) has a physical disability. A large percentage of individuals in this category (34%) have significant orthopedic impairments; 12% have some sort of neuromotor or muscular disabilities; 5% have brain dysfunctions and the remaining 48% have other physical limitations. These individuals will usually make use of wheelchairs, walkers, canes and crutches and need to find ramps, sturdy railings, non-slippery surfaces, elevators or stair glides and adequate space in which to maneuver. People with physical disabilities cause the least discomfort of any of the following clusters. In an earlier Harris study 59% of the general public said they do not feel awkward in dealing with people who use wheelchairs, noting they just “sit down a lot,” seeming less “different” that some people with other disabilities. § 9% of those with disabilities (slightly less than 1.3 million Catholics) have sensory disabilities. Blind and visually impaired persons make up slightly more that 4% of Catholics with disabilities. The majority of these individuals are not braille users and prefer printed information to be presented in large print, audiotapes or computer generated formats and appreciate having the visual elements of worship and religious programs audio-described. 90% of the general public said they felt comfortable in dealing with those in this disability category. Louis Harris surveys have found that the numbers of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing roughly matches the numbers of those with vision problems. Best estimates seem to indicate that 15% to 20% of this group use American Sign Language (ASL) and are a part of the Deaf Culture. The remainder, many of whom are late on-set deaf, consider English (or their native language) as their primary information source and need written text, whether real time captioning, captioning of already existing materials or print scripts. There are various hearing enhancement systems which amplify sound for the hard of hearing and allow these Catholics to participate in the worship service. To be fully accessible to this segment of our Church, ASL, real time captioning and enhanced hearing systems are desirable. § 4% of those with disabilities (about 560,000 Catholics) are mentally retarded or cognitively disabled. The vast majority of this group is defined as moderately to mildly limited in their cognitive abilities. We find that 3% can be classified as severely mentally retarded. Currently approximately 97% of those designated as cognitively disabled or mentally retarded are living in their communities, whether in their own homes or in group settings. The recently revised definitions of the American Association on Mental Retardation are based less on I.Q. scores and more on the amount of services required to allow a given individual to live as fulfilling a life as possible. This sort of an approach does not “lock” an individual into a rigid level based on expectation but allows for development and growth as appropriate learning and skill development take place. With training and supervision, almost all of these individuals can fit into jobs and mainstream community life. However, their grasp of the “feelings” of Faith can be expected to exceed their theological insights. Only one-third of the general public said they felt comfortable around people who are cognitively disabled or mentally retarded, which means special effort needs to be made to educate people to the gifts of this segment of the disability community. § 5% of those with disabilities (approximately 700,000 Catholics) are classified as mentally ill. Since so many people experience occasional bouts of non-clinical depression and other less severe mental illnesses, the numbers of people included in this category is relatively difficult to assess. However, the Louis and Harris survey indicates we should anticipate at least 5% of our parishioners are experiencing some form of mental illness at any given time. Apparently this is the group of disabled people which most discomforts the general public. Harris found 73% felt awkward and ill at ease around those designated as mentally ill. This group is in as much need of the support of their Faith as any other. It should be noted that a large proportion of this group is included with those with medical disabilities. As we learn more about mental illness, the chemical causes of this condition become more clearly defined. § 24% of those with disabilities (about 3.6 million Catholics) have assorted health problems which limit one or more of their daily living functions. Of this group, 10% have a significant heart or circulatory problem which seriously limits their activity while 11% have cancer, kidney dysfunction, diabetes, or other generally limiting conditions. 5% are limited by respiratory or pulmonary dysfunctions. Many within this group may have mobility and other limitations which require consideration when planning for their inclusion. Those with such hidden disabilities face misunderstanding and their need for accommodations may be misinterpreted as unreasonable demands for special privileges rather than reflective of legitimate need. § 40% of those with disabilities (about 6 million Catholics) report they have more than one disabling condition. Disabilities do not fit into neat categorical boxes and there is considerable overlap. 40% of those interviewed by Harris reported having more than one disability. These individuals, while more limited in some ways, can be accommodated when universal design is a part of the planning process. There are few among the fourteen million Catholics with assorted disabilities whose needs cannot be met within our parishes and organizations when we make appropriate accommodation for their inclusion. These accommodations should not be considered extraordinary, since they result from the reality that God places the gift of life into such fragile bodies. The bishops’ 1998 statement, Welcome and Justice for Persons with Disabilities notes: Costs must never be the controlling consideration limiting the welcome offered to those among us with disabilities, since provision of access to religious functions is a pastoral duty. St. Paul reminded us our differing and unique qualities are essential in building the body of Christ. Age at Which Disabilities Tend to Develop: NCPD defines disabilities as: The normal and expected outcome of the risks and stresses of the living process. They result because God places the gift of life into fragile bodies which were not designed to last forever. Disabilities may occur before birth, a few moments before natural death or at any other time along the life continuum. It makes good sense to consider these “glitches” as reminders of our need for each other and our Lord. Approximately 13% of Catholics with disabilities first became disabled from birth through adolescence. (These would be classified as developmentally disabled, no matter their disability category or mental acuity. Legally the phrase “development disabilities” applies to everyone whose disability developed before adulthood.) 21% became disabled as young adults while we can expect 22% of our colleagues to become disabled in their middle years. The largest group, 37%, enters the ranks of the disabled after the age of 55. The fragility of the human body results in a steady and expanding stream of survivors who have gifts to offer and needs to be met within the Catholic Church. Employment Status of Americans with Disabilities According to the 2000 survey by Harris Interactive: “Although employment has improved somewhat over the past fourteen years for people who say they are able to work, employment is still the area with the widest gulf between all people with disabilities and the rest of the population. Only three in ten working age (18 – 64) people with disabilities are employed full or part-time, compared to eight in ten working-age people without disabilities (32% versus 81%). Two out of three unemployed people with disabilities (67%) would prefer to be working.” Awareness of Discrimination within the General Public: 59% of respondents in a previous Harris survey thought that people with disabilities face some discrimination while an additional 19% think there is “a great deal” of prejudice and discrimination. 17% don't think it’s a problem while 9% are uncertain. Of equal interest is the general public's response to a question about potential contributions which people with disabilities can make to their communities. 78% think those with disabilities have untapped potential to contribute while 11% see those with disabilities as a burden. “Feelings” Held by the General Public about Those with Disabilities 92% of the general public expressed admiration for those with disabilities, “because they overcome so much”; 74% expressed pity; 58% had feelings of awkwardness because they don’t know how to behave around people with disabilities; 47% expressed fear because people with disabilities remind them of what could happen to them; 16% expressed anger because people with disabilities cause inconveniences and 9% expressed resentment because of feeling that those with disabilities get special benefits and privileges. Attendance at Religious Services Half as many adults with disabilities as their non-disabled neighbors attend parish worship services (39% vs. 22%) at any time. Even so, half of those with various physical and sensory limitations report they try to get to Mass as least once a month. A possible reason for their limited attendance is that one-third of those with significant disabilities report that their parish does little or nothing to facilitate their participation. Yet, many of these same people affirm their faith is important. Eight in ten adults say their faith is very important to them. Optimism for the Future: A reality suggested by the data collected in 2000: People with disabilities are much less optimistic about any improvement in next four years in their quality of lives than people without disabilities. This is particularly sad, since it was hoped that the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 would improve their lives significantly. When asked if the ADA had made their lives better or worse, 64% of those with slight disabilities, 51% of those with very severe disabilities and 60% of those with somewhat severe disabilities felt it had made no difference. Does such a strong impression that ADA failed to fulfill the dream of equity which spawned the struggle to gain passage of this civil rights legislation raise justice issues for those of us within the Catholic Church? Certainly such a question must be considered as we seek to discover whether we are creating the inclusive environments called for in the USCCB document, Welcome and Justice for Persons with Disabilities Credit for Data: The following surveys conducted by Harris Interactive, Inc. as well as calculations based on the U. S. Population Clock and Disability Tables developed by the International Center for Disability Information were used in preparing this report § The ICD Survey of Disabled Americans: Bringing Disabled Americans into the Mainstream, Funded by the International Center on Disability in cooperation with the National Council on the Handicapped, Conducted by Louis Harris and Associates, Inc., 1986. § Participation by Disabled Americans in the Religious Life of Their Communities, Funded by the National Organization on Disability (NOD), Conducted by Louis Harris, June-July 1987. § Public Attitudes Toward People with Disabilities, Conducted for NOD, May-June, 1991. § NOD/Harris Survey of Americans with Disabilities, July, 1994. § The N.O.D./Harris Survey on Employment of People with Disabilities, July 1995. § The 1998 N.O.D./Harris Survey of Americans with Disabilities, June, 1998. § 2000 N.O.D./Harris Community Participation Study, April, 2000. § 2000 N.O.D./Harris Survey of Americans with Disabilities, Sponsored by Aetna, Inc. and the JM Foundation, June 2000. |
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