Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
351152115
label
"Disabled Americans' Self Perceptions: Bringing Disabled Americans into the Mainstream" [1986]
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
351152115
contentType
document
title
"Disabled Americans' Self Perceptions: Bringing Disabled Americans into the Mainstream" [1986]
citationUrl
collections
Lex Frieden Collection: Records on Disability Rights
Printed Materials
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
351152115
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
6709fb2b27a9631b
ocrText
Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
Donated Historical Materials
Collection/Office of Origin: Frieden, Lex, Collection
Series:
Printed Materials
Subseries:
Papers/Books
OA/ID Number:
52112
Folder ID Number:
52112-008
Folder Title:
"Disabled Americans' Self Perceptions: Bringing Disabled Americans into the Mainstream" [1986]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
STUDY NO. 854009
DISABLED AMERICANS' SELF PERCEPTIONS:
BRINGING DISABLED AMERICANS INTO
THE MAINSTREAM
A nationwide survey of
1,000 disabled people
Conducted for the
INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR THE DISABLED
by
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES, INC.
-----_
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
CONTENTS
Page
I.
PERCEPTIONS OF CHANGE FOR THE BETTER FOR DISABLED AMERICANS
1
II. WHAT IT MEANS TO BE DISABLED IN AMERICA
3
Working as a Disabled American
8
III. SIGNS OF AN EMERGING GROUP CONSCIOUSNESS AMONG DISABLED AMERICANS
12
IV. BRINGING DISABLED AMERICANS INTO THE MAINSTREAM OF AMERICAN LIFE
14
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
TABLES
Table
Page
1 A PROFILE OF THE SAMPLE OF 1,000 DISABLED AMERICANS BY KEY
19
MEASURES OF DISABILITY
2 PERCEPTIONS OF HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED FOR DISABLED PEOPLE
20
IN THE PAST DECADE
3 PERCEPTIONS OF HOW FEDERAL LAWS HAVE HELPED DISABLED PEOPLE
21
4 WHETHER OR NOT ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS SHOULD COVER DISABLED PEOPLE.
22
5 FAMILIARITY WITH SECTION 504
23
6 A COMPARISON BETWEEN DISABLED AND NON-DISABLED PERSONS ON KEY
DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES
24
7 HOUSEHOLD INCOME BY KEY MEASURES OF DISABILITY
25
8 PERCENTAGE WHO SAY DISABILITY LIMITS THEIR MOBILITY OR SOCIAL
26
ACTIVITIES
9 A COMPARISON BETWEEN DISABLED AND NON-DISABLED PERSONS: HOW OFTEN
THEY SOCIALIZE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY
27
10 ATTENDANCE OF MOVIES, THEATER, AND LIVE MUSIC PERVORMANCE: DISABLED
ADULTS VS. ALL ADULTS
28
11 ACTIVISIM IN COMMUNITY GROUPS: A COMPARISON BETWEEN DISABLED AND
NON-DISABLED PERSONS
29
12 SATISFACTION WITH LIFE: A COMPARISON BETWEEN DISABLED AND NON-
DISABLED PERSONS
30
13 MOST DIFFICULT BARRIER FACED IN CONNECTION WITH DISABILITY
31
14 PERCENTAGE WHO FEEL DISABILITY HAS PREVENTED THEM FROM REACHING
THEIR POTENTIAL IN LIFE
33
15 EMPLOYMENT STATUS OF WORKING AGE DISABLED PERSONS
34
16 A COMPARISON BETWEEN WORKING AND NON-WORKING DISABLED PERSONS
ON KEY DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES
35
(CONTINUED)
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
TABLES (CONTINUED)
Table
Page
17 A COMPARISON BETWEEN WORKING AND NON-WORKING DISABLED
PERSONS ON KEY MEASURES OF DISABILITY
36
18 PERCENT OF WORKING-AGE DISABLED PERSONS IN OR OUT OF THE LABOR FORCE
37
19 A COMPARISON BETWEEN THOSE IN THE LABOR FORCE AND THOSE OUT OF THE
LABOR FORCE ON KEY DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES
38
20 A COMPARISON BETWEEN THOSE IN THE LABOR FORCE AND THOSE OUT OF THE
LABOR FORCE ON KEY MEASURES OF DISABILITY
39
21 A COMPARISON BETWEEN WORKING AND NON-WORKING DISABLED PERSONS OF
SELF-PERCEPTION AND SATISFACTION WITH LIFE
40
22 PERCENT OF WORKING-AGE DISABLED PERSONS WHO SAY THEY HAVE
ENCOUNTERED JOB DISCRIMINATION
41
23 PERCENT OF WORKING-AGE DISABLED PERSONS WHO SAY THEIR EMPLOYER MADE
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THEIR DISABILITY
42
24 PERCENT OF WORKING-AGE DISABLED PERSONS RECEIVING INSURANCE
PAYMENTS OR GOVERNMENTS PAYMENTS
43
25 PERCENT OF WORKING-AGE DISABLED PERSONS COVERED BY PRIVATE OR
GOVERNMENT HEALTH PLANS
44
26 HOW MUCH COMMON IDENTITY DISABLED PEOPLE FEEL WITH OTHER DISABLED
PEOPLE
45
27 WHETHER OR NOT DISABLED PERSONS ARE A MINORITY GROUP
46
28 RESPONSES TO PROPOSALS ON HOW SOCIETY SHOULD BE INVOLVED WITH
DISABLED PERSONS
47
29 PERCENT NOT WORKING WHO SAY THAT THEY WANT TO WORK
48
30 REASONS WHY PEOPLE ARE NOT WORKING AT ALL OR NOT WORKING FULL-TIME
49
31 PERCENT RECEIVING BENEFITS WHO WOULD LOSE BENEFITS IF WORKING
FULL-TIME
50
32 REASONS WHY DISABLED PEOPLE'S MOBILITY OR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES ARE
LIMITED
51
(CONTINUED)
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
TABLES (CONTINUED)
Table
Page
33 FAMILIARITY WITH AND USE OF MOST COMMON SERVICES FOR DISABLED PEOPLE. . 52
34 PERCENT WHO WOULD CALL AN 800 TELEPHONE NUMBER TO FIND OUT ABOUT
SERVICES IN THEIR STATE
53
35 MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT COULD BE DONE TO HELP DISABLED PEOPLE
FACE BARRIERS SUCCESSFULLY
54
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
INTRODUCTION
This summary provides an overview of the results of Disabled
Americans: Self Perceptions--1986. Many findings in the survey do not
appear in this summary. The summary includes analyses of the most important
and most policy-relevant findings. The full report will be available in March
1986.
Defining Disability
Past studies of disabled Americans have employed a number of
different approaches to define disability. The two most common approaches
have been to define disability either as the existence of a limiting health
condition which interferes with a person's normal activities or as the
existence of a condition which prevents or limits an individual's ability to
work.
This survey incorporated aspects of both of those approaches, but
also includes other criteria:
-- A person was defined as disabled if he or she had a
disability or health problem that prevented them from
participating fully in work, school, or other activities.
-- A person was defined as disabled if he or she said that
he or she had a physical disability, seeing, hearing, or
speaking impairment, an emotional or mental disability,
or a learning disability.
-- A person was defined as disabled if he or she considered
himself or herself to be a disabled person, or if he or
she said that other people would consider him or her
disabled.
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
Using these criteria, the Harris firm found the incidence of
disability to be 14% among Americans aged 16 and over. This would place the
number of Americans disabled persons in this age group at about 27 million.
The Sample
The survey is based on 1,000 telephone interviews with a national
sample of non-institutionalized disabled persons aged 16 and over, about half
of whom were under age 55, and then weighted to the proper proportion in
the population. All respondents met at least one of the definitional
criteria listed above.
When a disabled person was unavailable for an interview, or unable to
be interviewed, a proxy was chosen who knows most about that person. About
17% of the interviews were conducted with proxies.
All interviews were conducted between November 30, 1985 and December
23, 1985, from the Harris firm's central telephone facility in New York City.
Interviews averaged about 30 minutes in length.
Measures of Disability
The survey included a number of questions which measured types of
disability, the extent to which a disability limited the respondent, when the
disability began to limit their activities, severity of disability, and
whether or not a respondent considered himself disabled.
Forty-four percent of the sample said that a physical disability was
either their only disability or their most limiting disability. (Physical
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
disabilities were defined as nonparalytic orthopedic impairments, neuromotor
or neuromuscular disorders, brain disfunction or memory loss, disfigurement,
and deformity.) Thirteen percent said their only condition or most limiting
condition was a visual impairment, hearing impairment, or speech impairment.
Six percent have mental disabilities. Thirty-two percent had other serious
health impairments as their only disability or most limiting disability.
These included heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer, diabetes, and other
major diseases.
Thirteen percent of the sample were disabled fro ^ birth to
adolescence, 21% were disabled as young adults, 22% were disabled in middle
age, and 37% were disabled after age 55.
Forty-six percent of the s ample say that their disability prevents
them completely from working or keeping house. Thirty-eight percent said that
they are limited in the amount or kind of work which they can do. Eight
percent said that they are limited in other activities, but not in work. And
eight percent said that their disability does not limit them at all.
Fourteen percent of the sample described their disability as slight,
31% described it as moderate, 28% described it as somewhat severe, and 24%
described it as very severe.
And 43% of the live respondents interviewed said that they consider
himself or herself a
disabled person, while 54% did not. Proxy
responses are not included in this figure.
The picture which emerges is therefore one of a very heterogeneous
group, with people of very different levels of impairment, with very different
histories, and with very different experiences of living with their
disabilities.
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
Notes on Reading the Tables
An asterisk (*) on a table signifies a value of less than one-half
percent (0.5%). A dash (-) represents a value of zero. Percentages may not
always add up to 100% because of computer rounding, multiple answers from
respondents, or the elimination of "no answers. "
Public Release of the Survey Findings
All Louis Harris and Associates surveys are designed to adhere to the
code of standards of the Council of American Survey Research Organizations
(CASRO) and the code of the National Council of Public Polls (NCPP). Because
data from this survey will be released to the public, any release must
stipulate that the complete report will also be available, rather than simply
an excerpt from the survey findings.
Project Responsibility
The director of this project at Louis Harris and Associates was
Humphrey Taylor, President. The chief analyst was Stuart Leichenko, Research
Associate. He worked under the supervision of Michael R. Kagay, Ph.D., Vice
President and Division Head.
Louis Harris and Associates would like to thank the International
Center for the Disabled and the J.M. Foundation for sponsoring this research.
We would in particular like to thank Jeremiah Millbank and Jack Brauntuch of
the J.M. Foundation, and John Wingate, Nina Hill, Sandy Davis, and Tom Mehnert
of I.C.D., and Sandra Perrino and Lex Frieden of the National Council on the
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
Handicapped. We are also greatly in debt to the many other people who
contributed to the development of the questionnaire. However, responsibility
for topics, question wordings, the findings, and for their interpretation
rests solely with Louis Harris and Associates.
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-1-
I. PERCEPTIONS OF CHANGE FOR THE BETTER FOR DISABLED AMERICANS
The survey examined how disabled Americans believe life has changed
for them in the past decade, and what role they believe the federal government
has played in creating changes for disabled persons. The results confirm that
nationwide efforts and the passage of federal laws have made an important
difference in the lives of disabled Americans.
A. An overwhelming majority of disabled Americans believe that life has
improved for disabled persons in the past decade. Seven out of ten
disabled persons say that things have gotten somewhat better (47%) or much
better (25%) for disabled people during the past 10 years (Table 2).
The most severely disabled persons are somewhat less likely to feel that
things have improved than are slightly or moderately disabled people.
About six out of ten (58%) of those who describe their disability as very
severe feel that things have gotten better for them during the past
decade. A much larger 80% majority of moderately disabled people and an
83% majority of slightly disabled people feel that things have improved.
However, the fact that a substantial majority of even severely disabled
people feel that life has improved for disabled people underscores the
significance of this finding.
B. The survey findings also reveal a powerful endorsement for the role played
by the federal government to give better opportunities to disabled
persons. A two-thirds (67%) majority of disabled Americans think that
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-2-
federal laws passed since the late 1960s to give better opportunities to
disabled Americans have helped a great deal or helped somewhat.
The strength of this endorsement for a federal program is
unsurpassed since the Harris firm began measuring public support for
federal programs and laws. It is an encouraging and important confirmation
that the federal government has helped, and should continue to help,
disabled Americans.
C. But it appears that disabled Americans feel that the federal government
should go further in its efforts to help disabled Americans. A near
consensus feel that anti-discrimination laws that protect minorities should
also cover disabled persons. Seventy-five percent of disabled persons
believe that anti-discrimination laws should cover them, while only 17%
believe that they should not be covered by such laws (Table 4).
D. Nearly one-third (31%) of disabled Americans say that they are familiar
with Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This is a
fairly high level of public familiarity with a specific law. But it is one
of several findings in this survey which show that the leaders of the
disabled movement have yet to inform the great majority of disabled persons
about laws and services designed to assist them in participating fully in
society.
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-3-
II. WHAT IT MEANS TO BE DISABLED IN AMERICA
While life has improved for most disabled people in the past decade,
being disabled still means having much less of almost everything in life than
most other people in the United States. It means having much less education,
and much less money. For the great majority, being disabled means not
working, and relying on benefits or someone else for support.
Being disabled usually means not getting around and not having a full
social life. Disabled people socialize less with friends and family, and are
less involved in community activities. Disabled persons go to movies and
attend cultural events far less often than the population as a whole.
For a majority of disabled persons, having less of all these vital
elements of life means that they believe their disabilities have prevented
them from reaching their full abilities as a person. They are less satisfied
with life than are non-disabled person. However, despite their disadvantaged
status, the majority of disabled Americans say that they are satisfied with
their lives. Only a minority say that they are dissatisfied with life, a
remarkable finding in light of the portrait of hardships revealed in these
survey findings.
On an individual level, the survey found that being disabled means
something different for almost every disabled person. Because the range and
effects of disabilities are so broad, the types of problems faced by disabled
people also vary greatly. For some, the greatest problems which they
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-4-
face are physical: trouble walking, running, or climbing stairs. For other
disabled persons, the psychological effects of a disability trouble them most;
how they come to see themselves or how they believe other people perceive
them. For still others, not being able to steer a car or see well enough to
drive may be what troubles them most. Certainly, the inability to work or
find a job is a trial faced by the great majority of disabled persons. There
are other common problems faced by many disabled persons. But the unifying
thread in these findings is the common experience of hardship in one or many
aspects of life. Being disabled means a much harder life fraught with many
more obstacles than those faced by other Americans.
A. Disabled Americans have far less education as a group than do non-disabled
Americans. Forty percent of all disabled persons aged 16 and over did not
finish high school. This proportion is nearly three times higher than in
the non-disabled population, where only 15% of adults aged 18 and over have
less than a high school education.
The difference in the proportions of disabled and non-disabled persons who
have gone on to college are also dramatic. Only twenty-nine percent of
disabled persons say they have at least some college education, compared to
48% of non-disabled persons (Table 6) -- and many of the disabled were
educated before the onset of their disability. The younger the onset of
disability, the lower the level of education likely to be achieved.
B. Disabled Americans are much poorer than are non-disabled Americans. Half
of all disabled persons (50%) aged 16 and over have a household income
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-5-
for 1984 of $15,000 or less. Among non-disabled Americans, only 25% have
household incomes in this bracket (Table 6).
The same contrast is evident when comparing the proportion of each group
whose household income is at least $35,000. Only 12% of disabled persons
fall into this bracket, compared to 27% of non-disabled persons.
These differences are due in part to the disturbing rate of poverty among
older disabled persons. Fully one in three (32%) of disabled persons aged
65 and over report a household income of $7,500 a year or less. Six out of
ten elderly disabled persons report household income of $15,000 or less.
The more severe the disability, the greater the poverty. As Table 7 shows,
the more severely disabled persons are even poorer as a group than slight
or moderately disabled persons, or those less limited in their activities.
C. A 56% majority of disabled Americans say that their disability prevents
them from getting around, attending cultural or sports events, or
socializing with friends outside their home as much as they would like
(Table 8).
This figure rises to 67% among somewhat severely disabled persons, and to
79% among very severely disabled persons. In contrast, only 19% of
slightly disabled persons say that their disability limits their mobility
or social life.
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-6-
D. The result of these limitations is that disabled people -- especially
severely disabled people -- socialize less with friends and family than do
non-disabled persons. However, seventy-five percent of all disabled
persons say that they socialize at least once a week. This figure drops to
67% for very severely disabled persons (Table 9).
On this measure, an 18-point gap separates very severely disabled and
non-disabled persons. Eighty-five percent of non-disabled persons say that
they socialize at least once a week. And of course, they do so more
frequently than do disabled persons.
E. Disabled persons go to the movies and to cultural events far less often
than does the adult population as a whole. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of all
disabled persons never went to a movie in the past year. When the Harris
survey asked all adults how often they went to the movies, only 22% said
that they never went during the past year (Table 10).
The differences are equally large when comparing how often disabled and
non-disabled people go to the theater or to live popular music perfor-
mances. Three-fourths of all disabled persons did not go to a live theater
performance or live popular music performance during the past year. Among
all adults, about four out of ten said that they did not do SO.
Since the proportion of disabled and non-disabled persons living in or
around metropolitan areas is about the same, it appears that a lack of
money, mobility, transportation and the difficulties of coping with a
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-7-
crowded environment; and perhaps under-education among disabled persons,
are some of the causes of these differences.
F. Disabled Americans are also less involved in community life than are
non-disabled Americans. Six out of ten non-disabled persons say that they
are somewhat or very active in community groups such as religious groups;
volunteer groups, or recreation groups. Only four out of ten disabled
persons are active in these kinds of groups (Table 11).
Only about one in ten severely disabled persons say that they are at least
somewhat active in community life.
G. Not surprisingly, disabled persons express less satisfaction with life than
do non-disabled persons. Sixty-nine percent of disabled persons say that
they are somewhat or very satisfied with life, compared to 90% of
non-disabled persons (Table 12). Nevertheless, it is at the least
encouraging that only one in four disabled persons express dissatisfaction
with life, and that a larger majority are satisfied.
But dissatisfaction with life rises to 29% among somewhat severely disabled
persons, and to more than one of every three very severely disabled persons
(37%).
H. Perhaps the most telling measure of how disability affects people is that a
57% majority of disabled persons believe that their disability has pre-
vented them from reaching their full abilities as a person. The majority
who believe this rises to 72% among severely disabled persons (Table 14).
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-8-
Working as a Disabled American
For most Americans, striving to reach one's abilities amounts to
working to achieve career and financial goals. Our society expects people to
work, and the preeminent criterion by which we judge and measure a person's
worthis the job that he or she does. Americans below retirement age who do
not work live apart from the mainstream of life in this country. Unemployment
excludes them from the common experiences known to most Americans.
Not working is perhaps the truest definition of what it means to be
disabled in this country. No other demographic group under 65 of any size has
such a small proportion working. Young blacks, for example, a group often
singled out because of their very high level of unemployment, are much more
likely to be working than are disabled Americans.
A. Two-thirds of all disabled Americans between age 16 and 64 are not
working. Only one in four work full-time, and another 10% work part-time
(Table 15).
Non-working disabled persons describe their employment status as follows:
four percent are unemployed and actively looking for work; another seven
percent are unemployed but not looking for work; 29% say they are unable to
work because of their disability; nine percent are retired; nine percent
keep house, six percent are full-time students or trainees, including those
in vocational rehabilitation programs; and 1 percent say that they do
volunteer service full- or part-time.
B. Differences between the employment levels of men and women are modest.
Both working and non-working disabled persons below age. 65 are divided
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-9-
about evenly between men and women. A small majority of those working are
men (54%), and a small majority of those not working are women (53%). But
the similarities between the two groups -- disabled people who work and
those who don't -- end there (Table 16). Working disabled persons are
younger and, far wealthier; many more have at least some college education,
and far fewer never finished high school than have non-working disabled
persons. For example, over twice as many working disabled persons report a
1984 household income of $25,000 or more (44%) as do non-working disabled
persons (21%) never finished high school (22%) as non-working disabled
persons (43%).
C. More working disabled persons became disabled earlier in life than did
non-working persons. This suggests that those who are disabled late in
life have more difficulty adjusting to, and overcoming, their
disabilities. As one might also expect, working disabled persons are less
limited in their activities and less severely disabled than are non-working
disabled persons (Table 17).
-- A 64% majority of working disabled persons described
their disability as slight or moderate. In contrast, a
61% majority of non-working disabled persons describe
their disability as somewhat or very severe.
D. Another way of looking at disabled persons' work status is by the
proportion who are in or out of the labor force, as defined by the Census
Bureau. The result offers another significant measure of isolation from
the mainstream; and certainly a more revealing measure of isolation than
the unemployment rate among disabled persons, which differs little from the
national rate.
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-10-
Sixty-two percent of disabled persons aged 16 to 64 are not in the labor
force; that is, they are not working full- or part-time and are not
actively looking for work in the past month (Table 18). These people must
therefore depend on insurance or benefits checks for support, or the
support of someone else.
About six out of ten people who are not in the labor force receive some
sort of income support from either insurance payments or government benefit
programs. (Of those receiving benefits, a 60% majority say that they are
the main wage earner in, or financial support of their household, another
indication of the financial pressures affecting disabled people.)
The remaining disabled persons not in the labor force (40%) say that they
receive no benefits from either an insurance company or from government
programs. This group is comprised mainly of women (72%). As a group,
those not receiving benefits tend to have more money and more education
than those who receive benefits (Table 19). (One reason is that a large
majority (69%) of those not receiving benefits say that someone else is the
main wage earner in their household.)
E. The more severe the disability, the more likely it is that a person is
receiving benefits (Table 20). A far greater proportion of those receiving
benefits (72%) say that they are somewhat or very severely disabled than do
those in the group not receiving benefits (46%).
Overall, disabled persons receiving benefits are the most disadvantaged
group among all disabled persons. They have less education and less money,
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-11-
and are more severely disabled. In the face of these extreme
disadvantages, a majority of those receiving benefits must support also
themselves.
F. There are profound differences between the self-perceptions of disabled
people who work and those who do not work. A 59% majority of non-working
disabled persons aged 16 to 64 say that they consider themselves disabled
or handicapped people. Only one in four (26%) working disabled persons
considers himself disabled.
G. Working disabled persons also are more satisfied with life than are
non-working disabled persons. Eighty percent of working disabled persons
say that they are at least somewhat satisfied with life, compared to 62% of
non-working disabled persons (Table 21).
H. One out of four (25%) working-age disabled persons say that they have
encountered job discrimination because of their disability.
I. But 35% of disabled persons who work now or who have worked full-time while
disabled say that their employer made some sort of accommodation for their
disability. This finding suggests that some disabled persons currently
working are able to work because their employer adopted a policy or
provided some help that allowed them to continue working.
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-12-
III. SIGNS OF AN EMERGING GROUP CONSCIOUSNESS AMONG DISABLED AMERICANS
The survey included two attitudinal questions never before asked of a
national sample of disabled Americans: the extent to which they feel a sense
of common identity with other disabled Americans; and whether or not they feel
that disabled persons are a minority group in the same sense as blacks and
Hispanics. The results show clear signs of an emerging group consciousness
among disabled Americans. Many other findings in the survey indicate that
most disabled persons view their disability as their own problem. But these
attitudinal data suggest that the common experience of not working and being
limited in physical and social activities affect the way disabled persons
relate to other disabled persons, and how they perceive all disabled people.
A. An overwhelming majority of 74% of all disabled Americans say that they
feel at least some sense of common identity with other disabled people.
Four out of ten disabled persons say that they feel a somewhat or very
strong sense of common identity with other disabled people (Table 26).
Surprisingly, the strength of this identification varies little among
disabled people of all ages, those who have been disabled all or only part
of their lives, and among those who are moderately or severely disabled.
Clearly, this feeling is strong and widespread among most disabled
Americans.
B. A 45% plurality of all disabled Americans feels that disabled persons are a
minority group in the same sense as are blacks and Hispanics. Forty-two
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-13-
percent feel that disabled persons are not a minority group in this sense,
and 12% said that they were not sure or refused to answer the question.
However, majorities of younger disabled persons and those disabled from
birth to adolescence (in large part the same people) believe that disabled
persons are a minority group. For example, 56% of persons whose disability
began to limit them from birth to adolescence say that disabled persons are
a minority group, compared to only 43% of those disabled after age 55.
Somewhat fewer slightly disabled persons (40%) feel that disabled persons
are a minority group than do moderately (48%) or severely disabled persons
(46%).
C. When it comes to how disabled persons should be treated under the law, a
near consensus emerges. Three out of every four (75%) disabled persons
believe that civil rights laws that protect minorities against
discrimination should also protect them. ONly 17% disagree.
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-14-
IV. BRINGING DISABLED AMERICANS INTO THE MAINSTREAM OF AMERICAN LIFE
The survey included a number of questions which identify barriers
keeping disabled persons from working, participating fully in other aspects of
life, and getting the services which they need. Policymakers should find
these results useful as guides in their efforts to effect policies which will
bring more disabled Americans into the mainstream of American life. The
survey also asked a series of questions to learn how disabled persons think
that government and society should, or should not, work to help disabled
Americans.
A. Overwhelming majorities of all disabled persons think that government and
the private sector should (1) increase efforts to educate, train, and
rehabilitate disabled persons so that they can join the workforce; and (2)
increase efforts to provide equipment and adapt workplaces so that disabled
persons can work better and communicate more easily with other workers
(Table 28).
-- Ninety-five percent of disabled persons think that there
should be increased efforts to educate, train, and
rehabilitate disabled persons so that they can work.
-- Ninety-four percent of disabled persons say that there
should be more special equipment in offices and
factories, SO that disabled persons can work more easily
and communicate better with other workers.
B. Much more surprisingly, almost eight out of ten disabled persons (78%) also
feel that there should be less government spending for disabled people who
are able to work but don't work. (The survey did not seek to learn who is
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-15-
able to work but does not. But two-thirds (66%) of disabled persons below
age 65 who do not work, say that they want to work (Table 29). )
C. However, large majorities of disabled persons also feel that society must
take care of disabled persons who cannot work, so that they are able to
live comfortably without working. Eighty-nine percent of disabled persons
approve at least somewhat of increased government and private benefits for
disabled persons who cannot work.
There also appears to be some ambivalence about society bringing pressure
to bear on disabled persons to go out and work, regardless of their
health. A 54% majority of disabled persons approve at least somewhat of
society taking better care of all disabled persons, so that they are not
"forced to go out and work," while 43% disapprove strongly or somewhat that
society should take this direction in its policies towards disabled persons.
But clearly some of the answers we got were contradictions, depending on
the wording and the emphasis of the questions. On balance, disabled
persons strongly support efforts by government and employers to find ways
to encourage many more disabled persons to join the mainstream of working
Americans, while also doing more for those who are genuinely unable to work.
D. The survey also identified a number of important reasons why many disabled
persons are not working at all, or only working part-time. Some of these
barriers to work cannot be addressed effectively by policymakers, such as
when a person is so severely limited by a disability that they cannot do
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-16-
any work at all. But in a number of areas there appears to be much room
for changes which will bring disabled persons into the workplace
(Table 30).
-- Forty-seven percent of disabled persons who are not
working full-time and who are under 65 say that
employers won't recognize that they are capable of doing
a job because of their disability.
-- Thirty-eight percent of these disabled persons say that
under-education and a lack of marketable skills are
important reasons why they are not working.
-- About three out of ten (28%) say that a lack of
accessible or affordable transportation is an important
reason why they are not working.
-- And two out of ten (23%) disabled persons say that a
lack of needed equipment or devices which will help them
work better or communicate more easily is an important
reason why they are not working.
One issue raised frequently in discussions of barriers which prevent
disabled persons from working is fear of a loss of key benefits, such as
government health insurance. The survey findings show that 70% of disabled
persons who currently receive benefits would lose some benefits if they
started working full-time (Table 31).
But a much lower 18% of disabled persons not working at all, or currently
working part-time, say that fear of a loss of benefits is an important
reason why they are not working. It seem that this fear is not one of the
most important reasons why more disabled persons are not working. The need
for continued medical treatment, current employer attitudes, lack of
education and skills, and transportation problems bar many more disabled
persons from working.
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-17-
E. The most important barrier which prevents disabled people from partici-
pating fully in social and cultural activities, and having unlimited
mobility, is the fear that their disability would cause them to get hurt,
sick or victimized by crime. Fifty-nine percent of disabled persons whose
activities are limited say that fear is an important reason why this is so
(Table 32).
F. A 56% majority of disabled persons who have trouble getting around also say
that not having someone to help them get around limits what they are able
to do.
G. Half (49%) of those whose mobility is limited say that inability to use
public transportation, or a lack of special transportation or someone to
drive them is an important barrier to a full social life and full mobility
for them.
H. Four out of ten disabled persons whose mobility is limited say that public
buildings and public bathrooms which they can't get into or use were
important reasons why they are prevented from getting around as much as
they would like to.
I. Four out of ten disabled persons whose mobility is limited say that
self-consciousness about their disability prevents them from getting around
or socializing as much as they would like.
J. Most disabled persons are not familiar with some of the most common
services available to disabled persons, such as medical and rehabilitation
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-18-
services. However, majorities of disabled persons are familiar with
vocational rehabilitation (60%) and transportation services for disabled
persons (58%). These findings strongly suggest that there is much room for
improvement in efforts to inform disabled people about key services
available to them. As Table 33 shows, no more than 13% of disabled persons
have used these services, which are generally available throughout the
country.
K. One way to provide information about services to disabled persons would be
to fund an 800 number which people could call to find out about services
available to them in their state. Three-fourths (76%) of all disabled
persons say that they would be very likely (52%) or somewhat likely (24%)
to use an 800, free of charge, to find out about services available to
disabled persons in their state (Table 34).
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-19-
Table 1
A PROFILE OF THE SAMPLE OF 1,000 DISABLED
AMERICANS BY KEY MEASURES OF DISABILITY
%
TYPE OF DISABILITY*
PHYSICAL DISABILITY
44
Nonparalytic orthopedic impairments
29
Neuromotor/neuromuscular disorders
8
Brain disfunction/memory loss/senility
6
Other physical disabilities
2
SENSORY IMPAIRMENT
13
Blind/visual impairment
7
Hearing, speech, language
6
MENTAL DISABILITY
6
Mental retardation/D.D.
3
Mental illness
3
OTHER SERIOUS HEALTH IMPAIRMENTS
32
Heart disease/blood or blood vessel disease
16
Respiratory or pulmonary disease
5
Cancer/diabetes/kidney disease/other disease
11
NOT SURE/REFUSED
4
MULTIPLY DISABLED
32
NOT MULTIPLY DISABLED
68
ONSET OF LIMITATION
Birth to adolescence
13
Young adult
21
Middle age
22
After age 55
37
LIMITATION OF ACTIVITIES
Cannot work, keep house, etc.
46
Limited in amount or kind of work
38
Other activities limited
8
Not limited at all
7
SEVERITY OF DISABILITY
Slight
14
Moderate
31
Somewhat severe
28
Very severe
24
RESPONDENT CONSIDERS SELF-DISABLED**
Yes
43
No
54
Not sure/refused
3
*Most limiting condition or single condition
**Based on 828 designated respondents only
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-20-
Q.13
Table 2
PERCEPTIONS OF HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED
FOR DISABLED PEOPLE IN THE PAST DECADE
Q.: How do you think things have changed in general for disabled Americans in the past
10 years -- have they gotten much better, somewhat better, somewhat worse, much worse,
or haven't they changed at all in the past 10 years?
No
It
Much
Somewhat Somewhat Much Change Depends Not Sure
Base
Better
Better
Worse
Worse
at
All
(Vol.)
Refused
Total
1,000
%
25
47
6
6
9
1
6
Age
16-34 years
190
%
26
55
4
2
9
1
3
35-44 years
136
%
21
56
7
5
7
1
3
4
45-54 years
145
%
25
46
8
8
9
1
55-64 years
232
%
25
47
6.
5
11
1
5
65 and over
296
%
27
39
4
7
8
2
10
Onset of Limitation
Birth-adolescence
139
%
28
57
6
-
8
-
2
Young adult
226
%
24
50
5
6
11
2
2
Middle age
216
%
23
45
7
9
11
-
6
After age 55
336
%
27
43
7
6
7
2
9
Limitation of Activities
Cannot work, keeps
house, etc.
455
%
22
45
6
8
10
1
7
Limited in amount
or kind of work
381
%
29
49
7
3
8
1
4
Other activities
limited
86
%
28
48
6
2
9
1
5
Not limited at all
77
%
26
48
2
5
11
I
7
Severity of Disability
Slight
144
%
33
50
4
2
8
1
3
Moderate
310
%
30
50
6
3
5
1
6
Somewhat severe
284
%
22
50
6
5
11
1
5
Very severe
237
%
19
39
9
12
12
1
8
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-21-
Q.14c
Table 3
PERCEPTIONS OF HOW FEDERAL LAWS HAVE HELPED DISABLED PEOPLE
Q.: Since the late 1960's, the federal government has passed laws to give
better opportunities to disabled and handicapped Americans. How much do you
think these laws have helped disabled Americans -- have they helped a great
deal, somewhat, not too much, or hardly helped at all?
Helped
Not
Hardly
a Great
Too
Helped
Not Sure /
Base
Deal
Somewhat
Much
at All
Refused
Total
1,000
%
22
46
14
10
8
Age
16-34 years
190
%
15
48
19
12
5
35-44 years
136
%
14
52
13
17
4
45-54 years
145
%
17
45
19
9
11
55-64 years
232
%
24
47
15
6
7
65 and over
296
%
29
42
9
9
11
Onset of Limitation
Birth-adolescence
139
%
21
48
19
6
7
Young adult
226
%
14
46
14
19
7
Middle age
216
%
19
46
18
8
8
After age 55
336
%
29
43
11
8
9
Limitation of Activities
Cannot work, keeps
house, etc.
455
%
23
42
14
12
8
Limited in amount
or kind of work
381
%
22
48
14
_9
7
Other activities
limited
86
%
20
49
15
6
10
Not limited at all
77
%
17
58
14
4
7
Severity of Disability
Slight
144
%
25
49
14
6
7
Moderate
310
%
21
51
12
8
8
Somewhat severe
284
%
21
47
15
10
8
Very severe
237
%
22
39
16
14
8
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-22-
Q.14b
Table 4
WHETHER OR NOT ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS SHOULD
COVER DISABLED PEOPLE
Q.: Do you think that the civil rights laws that cover minorities against
discrimination should also cover disabled persons, or not?
Should
Should Not
Not Sure/
Base
Be Covered
Be Covered
Refused
Total
1,000
%
75
17
9
Age
16-34 years
190
%
82
14
4
35-44 years
136
%
83
11
6
45-54 years
145
%
77
17
6
55-64 years
232
%
72
21
8
65 and over
296
%
68
18
14
Onset of Limitation
Birth-adolescence
139
%
86
10
4
Young adult
226
%
77
17
5
20
7
Middle age
216
%
73
After age 55
336
%
71
16
13
Limitation of Activities
Cannot work, keep
house, etc.
455
%
75
15
10
Limited in amount
or kind of work
381
%
73
19
7
Other activities
limited
86
%
79
12
10
5
Not limited at all
77
%
72
23
Severity of Disability
Slight
144
%
74
19
7
Moderate
310
%
78
15
7
Somewhat severe
284
%
72
19
9
Very severe
237
%
75
15
10
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-23-
Q.15a
Table 5
FAMILIARITY WITH SECTION 504
Q.: In 1973, the federal government passed the Rehabilitation Act. One
section of that act, Section 504, prohibits any program, business or activity
that gets federal money from discriminating against people who have
handicaps. Before this interview, how familiar would you say you were with
this law -- very familiar, somewhat familiar, not too familiar, or not
familiar at all?
Not
Very Somewhat Not Too Familiar Not Sure/
Base
Familiar
Familiar
Familiar
at All
Refused
Total
1,000
%
8
23
29
39
1
-
Age
16-34 years
190
%
-
10
25
27
38
136
%
13
30
20
38
-
35-44 years
45-54 years
145
%
6
23
27
44
-
55-64 years
232
%
8
24
31
36
*
65 and over
296
%
6
20
34
39
2
Onset of Limitation
Birth-adolescence
139
%
10
33
29
28
-
Young adult
226
%
14
24
20
43
2
2
Middle age
216
%
5
21
31
41
After age 55
336
%
6
22
32
39
1
Limitation of Activities
Cannot work, keeps
house, etc.
455
%
8
20
31
41
1
Limited in amount
or kind of work
381
%
9
27
26
37
1
Other activities
limited
86
%
8
26
30
35
1
I
Not limited at all
77
%
4
21
36
39
/
Severity of Disability
Slight
144
%
7
30
25
39
I
Moderate
310
%
9
22
32
36
2
Somewhat severe
284
%
7
25
30
38
-
Very severe
237
%
9
20
29
42
*
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-24-
Table 6
A COMPARISON BETWEEN DISABLED AND NON-DISABLED PERSONS
ON KEY DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES
Disabled Non-Disabled
Persons
Persons
Sex
44
46
Male
56
54
Female
Region
23
24
East
25
25
Midwest
32
31
South
20
20
West
Area
31
31
Central City
42
46
Other Urban Areas
27
23
Outside Metropolitan Areas
Age
7
16-24 years
9
25-34 years
12
35-44 years
13
45-54 years
25
55-64 years
20
65-74 years
13
75 and over
Education
40
15
Less than high school
31
37
High school graduate
15
25
Some college
14
23
4-year college graduate or more
Household Income
25
12
$7,500 or less
25
17
$7,501 to $15,000
$15,001 to $25,000
16
21
$25,001 to $35,000
12
16
7
15
$35,001 to $50,000
5
12
$50,001 or more
Race
80
81
White
10
11
Black
6
6
Hispanic
Marital Status
Married/Living Together
56
58 **
13
22
Single
Divorced/Widowed/Separated
31
20
*Based on a 1985 national sample of 1,064 adults aged 18 and over who say that
they don't have a limiting disability or health problem.
**1984 national figures for entire adult population. "Living together" was
not offered as a response for this question.
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-25-
Q.F3
Table 7
HOUSEHOLD INCOME BY KEY MEASURES OF DISABILITY
Q.: Which of the following income categories best describes the total 1984 income of all wage
earners in your household, including income from benefits and insurance payments? Was it (READ
LIST)?
$7,500
$50,001
or
$7,501-
$15,001-
$25,001-
$35,001-
or
Not Sure/
Base
Less
$15,000
$25,000
$35,000
$50,000
More
Refused
Total
1,000
%
25
25
16
12
7
5
10
Age
16-34 years
190
%
15
19
22
19
10
8
7
35-44 years
136
%
18
22
21
12
14
8
4
45-54 years
145
%
26
20
14
17
10
7
5
55-64 years
232
%
28
28
17
9
6
4
7
65 and over
296
%
32
29
12
8
3
1
16
Onset of Limitation
Birth-adolescence
139
%
22
13
21
18
9
10
7
Young adult
226
%
22
23
16
13
10
7
9
Middle age
216
%
28
24
17
10
8
3
10
After age 55
336
%
28
32
13
9
3
2
13
Limitation of Activities
Cannot work, keeps
house, etc.
455
%
35
27
13
8
6
1
10
Limited in amount
or kind of work
381
%
19
24
19
14
8
5
11
Other activities
limited
86
%
12
21
19
14
9
16
8
Not limited at all
77
%
18
20
18
18
13
9
5
Severity of Disability
Slight
144
%
15
19
24
14
10
11
7
Moderate
310
%
21
25
14
14
9
4
12
Somewhat severe
284
%
26
26
19
12
8
4
6
Very severe
237
%
35
28
11
8
3
2
13
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-26-
Q.17
Table 8
PERCENTAGE WHO SAY DISABILITY LIMITS THEIR
MOBILITY OR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Q.: Does your disability prevent you in any way from getting around,
attending cultural or sports events, or socializing with friends outside your
home as much as you would like to, or not?
Yes,
Does Not
Not Sure/
Base
Prevents
Prevent
Refused
Total
1,000
%
56
43
1
-
Age
16-34 years
190
%
39
60
1
%
53
47
-
35-44 years
136
45-54 years
145
%
63
36
1
232
%
56
44
*
55-64 years
65 and over
296
%
65
34
1
Onset of Limitation
Birth-adolescence
139
%
47
51
1
-
Young adult
226
%
59
41
Middle age
216
%
60
39
1
After age 55
336
%
66
33
1
Limitation of Activities
Cannot work, keeps
house, etc.
455
%
73
26
1
Limited in amount
or kind of work
381
%
52
48
*
Other activities
86
%
29
71
-
limited
Not limited at all
77
%
5
95
-
Severity of Disability
Slight
144
%
19
81
-
Moderate
310
%
45
55
*
Somewhat severe
284
%
67
31
1
237
%
79
20
*
Very severe
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-27-
Q.19
Table 9
A COMPARISON BETWEEN DISABLED AND NON-DISABLED PERSONS:
HOW OFTEN THEY SOCIALIZE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY
Q.: About how often do you socialize with close friends, relatives, or
neighbors?
At Least
Less Than
Not Sure/
Base
Once a Week
Once a Week
Refused
Non-Disabled Persons*
1,064
%
85
15
*
Total Disabled Persons
1,000
%
25
*
75
Age
16-34 years
190
%
79
20
1
28
1
35-44 years
136
%
71
45-54 years
145
%
69
32
-
-
55-64 years
232
%
75
25
65 and over
296
%
78
22
*
Onset of Limitation
Birth-adolescence
139
%
77
23
-
Young adult
226
%
75
25
*
Middle age
216
%
70
29
*
After age 55
336
%
76
24
*
Limitation of Activities
Cannot work, keeps
house, etc.
455
%
69
31
*
Limited in amount
or kind of work
381
%
79
20
1
Other activities
limited
86
%
83
17
-
20
-
Not limited at all
77
%
81
Severity of Disability
Slight
144
%
78
22
-
Moderate
310
%
80
19
*
Somewhat severe
284
%
75
24
*
237
%
67
32
I
Very severe
*Based on a 1985 national sample of adults aged 18 and over who say that they
don't have a limiting disability or health problem.
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-28-
Table 10
ATTENDANCE OF MOVIES, THEATER. AND LIVE MUSIC
PERFORMANCES: DISABLED ADULTS VS. ALL ADULTS
More
Than
2-3
4-5
6-10
11-20
20
Not
None
Once
Times
Times
Times
Times
Times
Sure
Movie attendance in
past 12 months
Disabled persons
%
64
8
13
5
5
3
2
*
All adults
%
22
7
19
11
15
14
12
*
Attendance of live
theater performances
in past 12 months
Disabled persons
%
77
8
9
3
2
1
*
*
All adults
%
40
8
26
11
10
4
1
1
Attendance of live
popular music
performance in past 12
months
Disabled persons
%
77
8
8
4
1
1
*
*
All adults
%
47
10
23
8
7
3
1
*
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-29-
Table 11
ACTIVISM IN COMMUNITY GROUPS: A COMPARISON BETWEEN
DISABLED AND NON-DISABLED PERSONS
Q.20: Are you very active, somewhat active, or not active in any community
group such as a religious group, volunteer group, or recreation group?
Very
Somewhat
Not
Not Sure/
Base
Active
Active
Active
Refused
Non-Disabled Persons*
1,064
%
28
32
40
*
Total Disabled Persons
1,000 %
15
21
64
*
-
Age
16-34 years
190 %
14
26
60
-
136 %
18
24
58
-
35-44 years
45-54
145 %
16
21
63
-
55-64
232 %
16
19
66
-
65 and over
296 %
14
19
67
*
Onset of Limitation
Birth-adolescence
139 %
20
23
57
-
226 %
15
23
62
-
Young adult
Middle age
216 %
13
21
67
-
After age 55
336 %
13
19
68
*
Limitation of Activities
Cannot work, keep,
house, etc.
455 %
8
16
76
*
Limited in amount or
kind of work
381 %
21
27
52
-
Other Activities Limited
86 %
19
19
62
-
21
54
-
Not limited at all
77 %
25
Severity of Disability
Slight
144 %
25
29
46
-
Moderate
310
%
17
24
59
-
Somewhat Severe
284
%
13
21
66
-
Very Severe
237 %
9
12
78
*
*Based on a 1985 national sample of adults aged 18 and over who say that they don't t
have a limiting disability or health problem.
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-30-
Table 12
SATISFACTION WITH LIFE: A COMPARISON BETWEEN
DISABLED AND NON-DISABLED PERSONS
0.9: How satisfed are you with life in general -- very satisfied, somewhat
satisfied, neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dis-
satisfied?
Neither
Satisfied Somewhat
Very
Somewhat
Nor Dis-
Dis-
Very Dis-
Not Sure/
Base
Satisfied
Satisfied
Satisfied
Satisfied
Satisfied
Refused
Non-disabled persons
*
1,064
%
50
40
3
5
1
1
Total disabled persons
1,000
%
39
30
3
16
8
3
Age
16-34 years
190
%
35
42
4
12
5
1
35-44 years
136
%
38
26
4
17
15
-
45-54 years
145
%
28
32
4
22
12
2
55-64 years
232
%
43
25
2
20
8
3
65 and over
296
%
43
30
4
11
6
Onset of Limitation
Birth-adolescence
139
%
40
38
2
8
10
2
Young adult
226
%
32
33
6
18
9
1
Middle age
216
%
39
26
3
22
7
3
After age 55
336
%
38
29
3
16
8
6
Limitation of Activities
Cannot works keep
house, etc.
455
%
29
30
3
21
12
4
Limited in amount or
kind of work
381
%
43
31
3
14
6
3
Other activities
86
%
52
29
6
7
2
4
limited
Not limited at all
77
%
62
29
1
5
3
-
Severity of Disability
Slight
144
%
55
31
1
11
2
2
Moderate
310
%
47
33
4
10
3
2
Somewhat severe
284
%
31
33
4
23
6
3
Very severe
237
%
29
25
3
16
21
7
Based on a 1985 national sample of adults aged 18 and over who say that they don't
have a limiting disability or health problem.
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-31-
Table 13
MOST DIFFICULT BARRIER FACED IN CONNECTION
WITH DISABILITY
(Base: 1,000)
Q.89: What is the most difficult barrier that you have faced in connection with
your disability or health problem over the years? What other barriers have you
faced?
Most
Other
Difficult
Barriers
Barrier
Faced
*
*
Lack of communication with people
2
1%
Unable to read/write
*
*
Lack of education
*
1%
Stress/Anxiety
*
*
Loss of friends
*
Isolation/loneliness/alienation
1%
Equal consideration from employer/job discrimination
*
1%
*
-
Built environment inaccessible
*
*
Discrimination by insurers
*
1%
Sex life limited
*
-
Inability to plan future/accomplish goals
*
-
Lack of motivation/use disability as excuse
*
-
Unable to get rehabilitation
*
*
Not treated as an equal
Unable to get treatment/medical care needed
*
*
*
*
Government policy towards disabled
*
Unable to work due to lack of transportation
-
6%
8%
Any other mentions
Don't know/no answer
4%
-
No barriers faced
8%
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-32-
Table 13 (Continued)
MOST DIFFICULT BARRIER FACED IN CONNECTION
WITH DISABILITY
(Base: 1,000)
Q.89: What is the most difficult barrier that you have faced in connection with
your disability or health problem over the years? What other barriers have you
faced?
Most
Other
Difficult
Barriers
Barrier
Faced
Limited/lack of mobility
10%
4%
Unable to walk/stand/run/climbi stairs
10%
4%
Unable to work because of disability
7%
5%
All aspects of life limited
4%
3%
4%
3%
Pain
Hearing problems/trouble hearing in groups
4%
1%
Unable to do housework
3%
3%
Need to depend on others/lack of independence
3%
3%
People's behavior towards me/reaction towards me
3%
1%
Unable to participate in sports
3%
2%
Can't see/can't see well enough to drive
2%
2%
Lack of strength/energy
2%
2%
Accepting oneself as disabled/accepting one's
limitations/coming to terms with disability
2%
1%
Financial problems/lack of financial security
2%
2%
Unable to drive
2%
1%
Can't find a job
2%
1%
Social activities/social life limited
2%
1%
Breathing difficulties/problems
2%
1%
Speech difficulties/people have trouble understanding
speech
2%
1%
Surgery/recovering from surgery
1%
1%
Depression
1%
1%
Unable to lift/carry
1%
2%
Problems with family/family attitudes
1%
*
Unable to get a better job
1%
*
Lack of confidence/feeling of inadequacy
1%
*
Taking medication
1%
1%
Problems with concentration/memory
1%
*
Unable to use hands
1%
1%
Going to hospital/doctor often
1%
*
1%
*
Job insecurity
Weather conditions
*
1%
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-33-
Q.87
Table 14
PERCENTAGE WHO FEEL DISABILITY HAS PREVENTED THEM
FROM REACHING THEIR POTENTIAL IN LIFE
Q.: Do you feel that your disability or health problem has in any way
prevented you from reaching what you feel are your full abilities as a person,
or not?
Has
Has Not
Not Sure/
Base
Prevented
Prevented
Refused
Total
1,000
%
57
40
2
Age
16-34 years
190
%
50
46
4
-
35-44 years
136
%
60
40
45-54 years
145
%
65
34
1
55-64 years
232
%
61
36
3
65 and over
296
%
54
43
3
Onset of Limitation
Birth-adolescence
139
%
56
40
4
Young adult
226
%
64
35
1
Middle age
216
%
63
36
2
After age 55
336
%
58
40
3
Limitation of Activities
Cannot work, keeps
house, etc.
455
%
69
28
3
Limited in amount
or kind of work
381
%
56
43
2
Other activities
limited
86
%
30
67
2
Not limited at all
77
%
22
78
-
Severity of Disability
Slight
144
%
29
69
2
Moderate
310
%
52
45
2
Somewhat severe
284
%
62
36
1
Very severe
237
%
72
25
4
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-34-
Table 15
EMPLOYMENT STATUS OF WORKING AGE DISABLED PERSONS
(Base: 703 respondents aged 16-64)
Q.23: Which of the following categories best describes your current employment
situation?
%
Working
33
Full-time
24
Part-time
10
Not Working
66
Unemployed and looking for work
4
Unemployed but not looking
7
Unable to work because of disability/
health problem
29
Retired
9
Keeping house
9
Full-time student/trainee/or
in vocational rehabilitation
6
Full- or part-time volunteer service
1
Not Sure/Refused
1
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-35-
Table 16
A COMPARISON BETWEEN WORKING AND NON-WORKING DISABLED
PERSONS ON KEY DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES
Working
Non-Working
Disabled
Disabled
Persons
Persons
Base
244
454
%
%
Age
16-24 years
9
12
25-34 years
23
9
35-44 years
30
12
45-54 years
18
20
55-64 years
19
47
Income
$7,500 or less
9
29
$7,501 to $15,000
20
25
$15,001 to $25,000
21
17
$25,001 to $35,000
20
10
$35,001 to $50,000
13
7
$50,001 or more
11
4
Education
Less than high school
22
43
High school graduate
34
34
Some college
17
15
4-year college graduate or more
27
7
Marital Status
Married/living together
70
56
Single
16
19
Divorced/widowed/separated
14
25
Sex
Male
54
47
Female
46
53
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-36-
Table 17
A COMPARISON BETWEEN WORKING AND NON-WORKING DISABLED
PERSONS ON KEY MEASURES OF DISABILITY
(Base: Those aged 16-64)
Working
Non-Working
Disabled
Disabled
Persons
Persons
244
454
Base
%
%
Onset of Limitation
Birth-adolescence
20
16
41
22
Young adult
18
31
Middle age
7
23
After age 55
Not limited at all
12
7
Limitation of Activities
Cannot work, keep house, etc.
15
58
Limited in amount or kind of work
57
29
Other activities limited
16
6
Not limited at all
12
7
Severity of Disability
29
8
Slight
35
29
Moderate
27
30
Somewhat severe
7
31
Very severe
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-37-
Table 18
PERCENT OF WORKING-AGE DISABLED PERSONS
IN OR OUT OF THE LABOR FORCE
(Base: 703 respondents aged 16-64)
%
In Labor Force *
38
Out of Labor Force *
62
Receiving government benefits or
insurance payments
36
Not receiving benefits or payments
24
Not sure if receiving benefits or
2
payments
*Defined as working full-time, working part-time, or unemployed and
looking for work in past month.
**Defined as unemployed and not looking for work, those unable to work
because of disability, retired, housekeeping, students or trainees,
and volunteer workers.
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-38-
Table 19
A COMPARISON BETWEEN THOSE IN THE LABOR FORCE AND THOSE
OUT OF THE LABOR FORCE ON KEY DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES
In the
Out of the Labor Force
Labor
Receiving
Not Receiving
Force
Benefits
Benefits
Base
277
244
167
%
%
%
Age
16-24 years
11
8
16
25-34 years
25
7
9
35-44 years
29
12
10
45-54 years
17
12
19
55-64 years
18
52
46
Income
$7,500 or less
10
36
21
$7,501 to $15,000
21
29
19
$15,001 to $25,000
20
15
20
$25,001 to $35,000
19
7
14
$35,001 to $50,000
13
4
11
$50,001 or more
10
1
8
Education
Less than high school
23
47
39
High school graduate
36
34
31
Some college
17
13
20
4-year college graduate
or more
24
5
10
Marital Status
Married/living together
67
56
58
Single
18
17
19
Divorced/widowed/separated
15
27
22
Sex
Male
54
58
28
Female
46
42
72
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-39-
Table 20
A COMPARISON BETWEEN THOSE IN THE LABOR FORCE AND THOSE
OUT OF THE LABOR FORCE ON KEY MEASURES OF DISABILITY
(Base: Those aged 16-64)
Out of Labor Force
In Labor
Receiving
Not Receiving
Force
Benefits
Benefits
277
244
167
Base
%
%
%
Onset of Limitation
Birth-Adolescence
21
14
18
Young adult
42
25
14
18
33
31
Middle age
7
24
25
After age 55
3
12
Not limited at all
121
Limitation of Activities
Cannot work, keep house, etc.
17
73
42
Limited in amount or kind of work
55
21
38
Other activities limited
16
3
8
12
3
12
Not limited at all
Severity of Disability
Slight
27
5
12
Moderate
37
21
37
27
33
24
Somewhat severe
6
39
23
Very severe
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-40-
Table 21
A COMPARISON BETWEEN WORKING AND NON-WORKING
DISABLED PERSONS OF SELF-PERCEPTION AND SATISFACTION WITH LIFE
(Base: Those aged 16-64)
Working
Non-Working
Disabled
Disabled
Persons
Persons
244
454
Base
%
%
Self-Perception
Considers self disabled
26
59
Does not consider self disabled
73
41
Satisfaction With Life
Very satisfied
48
1
32
80
62
Somewhat satisfied
32
}
30
Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied
4
3
Somewhat dissatisfied
12)
212
15
33
Very dissatisfied
3)
12
Not sure/refused
1
2
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-41-
Table 22
PERCENT OF WORKING-AGE DISABLED PERSONS WHO SAY
THEY HAVE ENCOUNTERED JOB DISCRIMINATION
Q.: Do you feel that you have ever encountered job discrimination because of
your disability or health problem, or not?
Total *
Base
566
%
Have encountered job discrimination
25
Have not encountered job discrimination
72
Not sure/refused
3
*Not asked of students, most retired persons, and unemployed persons not looking
for work.
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-42-
Table 23
PERCENT OF WORKING-AGE DISABLED PERSONS WHO SAY THEIR EMPLOYER
MADE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THEIR DISABILITY
Q.: Has your employer made accommodations for your disability or health
problem, or not?
Q.: When you worked full-time, did your employer make accommodations for
your disability or health problem, or not?
Total *
Basc
356
%
Employer made accommodations
35
Accommodations not made
61
Not sure/refused
4
*Asked of those currently working full- or part-time and those not working who
have full-time work experience while disabled.
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-43-
Table 24
PERCENT OF WORKING-AGE DISABLED PERSONS RECEIVING INSURANCE
PAYMENTS OR GOVERNMENT PAYMENTS
(Base: 703 respondents aged 16-64)
Q.96: Now I'd like to mention different kinds of programs and benefits that
people have. As I read each of the following items, please tell me whether you
currently receive the benefit or payment, or not.
%
Those receiving
Unemployment insurance
2
Worker's compensation
6
Short-term disability insurance
3
Private long-term disability insurance
5
Supplemental Security Income or SSI, or Social
Security disability benefits (SSDB or SSDI)
29
Aid to families with dependent children or AFDC
4
Veterans benefits
11
Total who receive either an insurance
payment or government benefit
46
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-44-
Table 25
PERCENT OF WORKING-AGE DISABLED PERSONS COVERED
BY PRIVATE OR GOVERNMENT HEALTH PLANS
(Base: 703 respondents aged 16-64)
Q.97: Now I'd like to read off a few different kinds of health plans or
health insurance that people have, including those provided by the
government. As I read each of the following health plans, please tell
me whether you are currently covered by it or not?
Those covered by
%
Health insurance through work, a union, or
49
some other group
Private health insurance bought by yourself
or someone else in the family
32
Medicare Part A or Part B, that pays hospital
or doctor's bills for people aged 65 and
over and for some disabled people
21
Medicaid or public aid
13
Total who are covered by private or
government health insurance
82
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-45-
Q.12
Table 26
HOW MUCH COMMON IDENTITY DISABLED PEOPLE
FEEL WITH OTHER DISABLED PEOPLE
Q.: To what extent do you feel that you have a sense of common identity with
other disabled people -- do you feel that you have no sense of common
identity, some sense of common identity, a somewhat strong sense of common
identity, or a very strong sense of common identity?
No
Sense of
Somewhat
Very
Common
Some
Strong
Strong
Not Sure/
Base
Identity
Sense
Sense
Sense
Refused
Total
1,000
%
16
34
20
20
10
Age
16-34 years
190
%
18
39
24
18
1
35-44 years
136
%
16
45
16
21
2
45-54 years
145
%
14
32
22
23
8
55-64 years
232
%
15
34
22
22
8
65 and over
296
%
18
29
16
19
19
Onset of Limitation
Birth-adolescence
139
%
11
41
22
23
3
Young adult
226
%
14
40
20
19
7
Middle age
216
%
11
33
27
22
7
After age 55
336
%
20
30
15
20
15
Limitation of Activities
Cannot work, keeps
house, etc.
455
%
14
31
17
23
14
Limited in amount
or kind of work
381
%
17
36
23
20
5
Other activities
limited
86
%
15
45
18
12
10
Not limited at all
77
%
31
32
15
16
6
Severity of Disability
Slight
144
%
25
41
18
11
5
Moderate
310
%
20
33
19
18
11
Somewhat severe
284
%
12
39
25
19
5
Very severe
237
%
12
27
15
30
15
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-46-
Q.14a
Table 27
WHETHER OR NOT DISABLED PERSONS ARE A MINORITY GROUP
Q.: Do you feel that disabled persons are a minority group in the same sense
as are blacks and Hispanics, or not?
Disabled
Are a
Not a
Not Sure/
Base
Minority Group
Minority Group
Refused
Total
1,000
%
45
42
12
Age
16-34 years
190
%
54
40
5
35-44 years
136
%
53
44
3
45-54 years
145
%
48
41
12
55-64 years
232
%
45
43
13
65 and over
296
%
37
43
20
Onset of Limitation
Birth-adolescence
139
%
56
35
9
Young adult
226
%
49
43
8
48
12
Middle age
216
%
40
After age 55
336
%
43
39
19
Limitation of Activities
Cannot work, keep
house, etc.
455
%
43
40
17
Limited in amount
or kind of work
381
%
47
43
9
Other activities
limited
86
%
45
45
10
2
Not limited at all
77
%
48
50
Severity of Disability
Slight
144
%
40
52
8
Moderate
310
%
48
41
11
Somewhat severe
284
%
45
45
10
Very severe
237
%
47
36
17
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-47-
Q.15b
Table 28
RESPONSES TO PROPOSALS ON HOW SOCIETY SHOULD BE
INVOLVED WITH DISABLED PERSONS
Q.: I will read you some proposals which have been made on how society should
be involved with disabled Americans. Please say for each one whether you
strongly approve, somewhat approve, somewhat disapprove, or strongly
disapprove (READ EACH ITEM).
Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly Not
Approve Approve Disapprove Disapprove Sure
There should be increased
efforts by society for
education, job training,
and rehabilitation for
disabled people, so they
can work to support
themselves instead of
depending on the government
66
29
2
2
2
There should be increased
government and private
benefits for disabled
people who cannot work,
so that they can live
comfortably without
56
33
6
3
2
working
There should be less govern-
ment and private spending and
benefits for disabled people
who can work to support
themselves
47
31
8
9
5
There should be increased
efforts by society for dis-
abled people to have special
equipment and devices in.
offices and factories, so
they can work better and com-
municate with other workers
more easily
68
26
2
1
2
Society should take better
care of all disabled people,
so they aren't forced to go
out and work
27
27
22
21
31
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-48-
Table 29
PERCENT NOT WORKING WHO SAY THAT THEY WANT TO WORK
(Base: 372 working-age disabled persons currently not working)
Disabled Persons
Do or Do Not
Aged 16-64 Who Are
Want to Work
Not Working
*
Want to work
66%
Do not want to work
34%
*Asked of all working-age unemployed persons, persons unable to work due to
disability, retired persons, housekeeping, and volunteers. Not asked of
students.
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-49-
Table 30
REASONS WHY PEOPLE ARE NOT WORKING AT ALL OR
NOT WORKING FULL-TIME
(Base: 276 disabled persons aged 16-64)
Important
Reason
Because your disability or health problem severely
limits what you can do
78%
Because you need medical treatment or therapy for your
disability or health problem
52%
Because employers won't recognize that you are capable
of doing a full-time job due to your disability or
health problem
47%
Because you think no full-time work is available
in your line of work or you can't find it
40%
Because you don't have the skills, education, or
training needed to get full-time jobs
38%
Because you can't get affordable, convenient, or
accessible transportation to and from work or
housing near work
28%
Because you need special equipment or devices to do your
work, talk to or hear other workers, or get around at
work
23%
Because you would lose benefits or insurance payments
18%
Because you can't arrange childcare or have other family
responsibilities
15%
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-50-
Table 31
PERCENT RECEIVING BENEFITS WHO WOULD LOSE BENEFITS IF
WORKING FULL-TIME
(Base: 181 working-age disabled persons not in labor force
who receive benefits)
Would or Would Not
Disabled Persons Not in
Lose Benefits if Working
Labor Force and
Full-time
Receiving Benefits
Would lose benefits
70%
Would not lose benefits
30%
*Includes only working-age unemployed persons not looking for work, persons
unable to work due to disability, those keeping house, and volunteers who say
they receive government payments or insurance payments. Not asked of students
and retired persons. Excludes those "not sure" about receiving benefits.
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-51-
Table 32
REASONS WHY DISABLED PEOPLE'S MOBILITY OR
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES ARE LIMITED
(Base: Those who say their disability limits their mobility or activities)
Q. 18a: Here are some reasons who people don't get around, attend events, or
socialize with friends outside their homes as much as they want to. Please say
if each is an important reason or is not an important reason why you don't get
around, socialize, or attend events as much as you would like to.
Total
Slightly or
Somewhat or
Disabled
Moderately
Very Severely
Persons
Disabled
Disabled
Base
559
165
378
Because of fear that your disability or health
problem might cause you to get hurt, sick, or
victimized by crime
59%
58%
59%
Because you need someone to go with you or help
you but don't always have someone
56%
48%
59%
Because you are not able to use public trans-
portation or becuase you can't get special
transportation or someone to give you a ride
when you need one
49%
44%
51%
Because you are self-conscious about your
disability
40%
40%
40%
Because you come across many public buildings
and places that you can't get into or that have
bathrooms which you can't use
40%
38%
40%
Because you have difficulty in seeing, talking,
or hearing
37%
32%
39%
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-52-
Table 33
FAMILIARITY WITH AND USE OF MOST COMMON SERVICES
FOR DISABLED PEOPLE
(Base: 1,000)
Q.93a: I'm going to read you some services available to disabled people.
Please say if you are familiar or not familiar with each service.
Q.93b: Have you used (READ ITEM), or not?
Have
Familiar
Used
Vocational rehabilitation
60%
13%
Transportation services for disabled people
58%
10%
Medical and rehabilitation services for disabled people
44%
13%
Section 8 and other housing for disabled people
31%
3%
Independent living centers
25%
2%
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-53-
Table 34
PERCENT WHO WOULD CALL AN 800 TELEPHONE NUMBER
TO FIND OUT ABOUT SERVICES IN THEIR STATE
Q.95: One way to help people learn about services would be to have a free 800
telephone number for people to call, where they would find out about all services
available to disabled people in their state. How likely would you be to call
a free 800 number for help finding out about services available to you in
your state -- very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not likely at all?
Very
Somewhat Not Too Not Likely Not Sure/
Base
Likely
Likely
Likely
At All
Refused
Total
1,000
%
52
24
9
13
2
Age
16-34 years
190
%
57
26
14
7
2
35-44 years
136
%
63
22
4
11
1
45-54 years
145
%
59
21
10
11
-
55-64 years
232
%
50
26
11
13
-
65 and over
296
%
44
26
8
18
4
Regions
East
228
%
53
23
5
18
1
Midwest
254
%
51
23
13
13
*
South
321
%
51
23
11
12
3
West
197
%
55
27
8
10
1
Limitation of Activities
Cannot work, keep
house, etc.
455
%
57
20
9
13
2
Limited in amount or
kind of work
381
%
53
26
8
11
1
Other activities
limited
86
%
31
30
15
22
1
Not limited at all
77
%
44
29
13
15
-
Severity of Disability
Slight
144
%
45
26
11
17
1
Moderate
310
%
50
26
10
13
1
Somewhat severe
284
%
58
23
9
10
1
Very severe
237
%
52
22
10
15
2
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES
-54-
Table 35
MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT COULD BE DONE TO HELP
DISABLED PEOPLE FACE BARRIERS SUCCESSFULLY
(Base: 791 who say they still face barrier(s))
Q.91: What is the most important thing that could be done to help you face
this (these) barrier (s) successfully? Is there anything else that could be
done?
Other Things
Most Important
That Could
Things That
Be Done
Could be Done
(Other Mentions)
Nothing/nothing can help
22%
Get better/improve health
6%
*
Find a cure/cure me
6%
*
Get specific treatment/therapy
5%
1%
Accept myself as disabled/accept
limitations
5%
1%
Keep good psychological attitudes
4%
1%
Change people's attitudes/change the way
people react towards me
3%
1%
Get specific equipment/device
3%
*
Find a job/employment
3%
1%
Need someone to assist me
3%
*
Improve financial situation/get more money
3%
1%
Counseling/support groups/therapy
3%
1%
Get medication/better medication
2%
1%
Support from friends, family, co-workers
2%
*
Exercise
1%
1%
Make built environment accessible
1%
*
Improve social life/get out more/see people more
1%
1%
Equal consideration from employers/change
employer attitudes
1%
1%
Get education/more education
1%
1%
Get social security/government benefits
1%
*
Get more social security/government benefits
1%
*
Alleviate the pain
1%
-
Get rehabilitation/get into a rehabilitation
program
1%
*
Better transportation
1%
*
Have employer make adaptations/adapt workplace
1%
*
Vocational/job training
*
*
Get insurance/better insurance coverage/better
insurance for further disabilities
*
*
Improve/change government policy
*
*
Any other mentions
6%
2%
Don't know/no answer
13%
LOUIS HARRIS AND ASSOCIATES