Disability Statistics & Etiquette Flashcards
Why are disability statistics so variable?
Differences in How “Disability” is Defined:
There are many different ways to define the concept of “disability” and the surveys used to collect disability statistics don’t all use the same definition.
Differences in Data Collection Methods:
Some surveys rely on individuals to report their own disabilities. Others rely on observations or data collection activities by the people administering the survey. These collection methods can cause wide variance in the results.
Political or Public Relations Biases:
Sometimes a country or organization may be reluctant to report accurate numbers about people with disabilities because of a fear that the report will shine an unfavorable light on the situation.
What percentage of older adults have disabilities?
Older people are more likely to have disabilities. Estimates range from about 30% to 60% of older populations, compared to 10%-20% for the population as a whole. Often, we acquire multiple disabilities as a natural part of the aging process.
What is the connection between disabilities and lower levels of education?
People with disabilities tend to be less educated than the general population. In the case of severe disabilities, the individuals may not be capable of completing a traditional education through the school system.
What is the connection between disabilities, workplace discrimination, and unemployment?
Personal circumstances vary greatly, but statistically speaking, people with disabilities as a group tend to be disproportionately represented among those who are unemployed or under-employed, even after taking their disability into account. In a minority of cases, the disability itself and/or related health issues severely limit the individual’s ability to work, or prevent it entirely.
What percentage of people with disabilities live in poverty in the United States?
In the United States, people with disabilities are twice as likely to live in poverty as the general population. About 30% of people with disabilities live below the poverty line.
What percentage of people with disabilities age 65 and older in the United States are living with ambulatory disabilities?
23%.
According to the United Nations, what is the average number of years people spend living with a disability in a country where the life expectancy is 70 years or more?
8 years.
True or False: People with disabilities who are willing and able to work may face difficulty obtaining and/or retaining opportunities due to job discrimination and lack of reasonable job accommodations.
True.
What is the “people first” way to refer to: “the disabled, the handicapped”?
People with disabilities.
What is the “people first” way to refer to: “crippled, physically handicapped or wheelchair bound”?
A person with a physical disability/impairment or
wheelchair user.
What is the “people first” way to refer to: “a disease or defect”
A condition.
What is the “people first” way to refer to: “the Blind”?
People who are blind, partially sighted, or
visually impaired.
What is the “people first” way to refer to: “the deaf, or hearing impaired”?
People who are deaf, or hard of hearing.
Instead of “raising voice or talking as if speaking to a child,” what should you do when addressing a person with a disability?
Maintain usual pitch volume and rhythm when speaking.
Instead of “interrupting a person with speech impairments and trying to finish sentences for them,” what should you do when addressing a person with a disability?
Listen patiently and, if needed, ask for clarification.
