Re: Accessibility - Global Stats?

I found this in the U.S. Access Board newsletter at 
http://www.access-board.gov/news/Access%20Currents/Jan-Feb09.htm

U.S. Census Bureau Releases New Data on the Population of People with 
Disabilities
Newly released estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that the 
population of people with disabilities is increasing. A total of 54.4 
million Americans (19% of the population) is estimated as having some 
level of disability based on the Bureau's 2005 Survey of Income and 
Program Participation which is used to develop national-level estimates. 
Of this total, 35 million were classified as having a severe disability. 
These latest figures represent an increase from the results of a previous 
survey of 2002 data (51.2 million or 18%). The study, "Americans with 
Disabilities: 2005," also found that among people 15 and older, 10.2 
million use canes, crutches, or walkers, and 3.3 million use wheeled 
mobility aids. An estimated 7.8 million are reported to have difficulty 
hearing a normal conversation, including 1 million without any hearing. 
Another 7.8 million are estimated to have difficulty seeing ordinary 
newspaper print, including 1.8 million without any vision. Other findings 
from the survey indicate that over 16 million people have a cognitive, 
mental, or emotional disability and that over 5.4 million children under 
age 15 have some type of disability. For more information on the study, 
visit the Bureau's website at 
www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/013041.html
.

Regards,
Phill Jenkins, 
IBM Research - Human Ability & Accessibility Center
http://www.ibm.com/able
U.S. Access Board
http://www.access-board.gov/