The Census and the Disability Community - We Count!

From The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights (3.17.10):

It's Time. Make Yourself Count.

Census 2010

...The census influences the distribution of more than $400 billion every year in federal funds for programs in education, health care, community services, economic development and more. In fiscal year 2007, the federal government used census information to guide the distribution of approximately $15 billion in services specifically to people with disabilities. In addition, census data are used by state and local governments and private corporations to guide investments in transportation, restaurants, shopping centers and other types of economic development.
Here are some of the ways census data are used:

• To help state and county agencies plan for eligible recipients under the Medicare, Medicaid, and Supplemental Security Income programs.
• To distribute funds and develop programs for people with disabilities and seniors.
• To distribute funds for housing for people with disabilities.
• To allocate funds to states and local areas for employment and job training programs for veterans.
• To ensure that comparable public transportation services are available for all segments of the population.
• To award federal grants, under the Older Americans Act, based on the number of elderly people with physical and mental disabilities.
• To allocate funds for mass transit systems to provide facilities for people with disabilities
• To provide housing assistance and supportive services for low-income individuals with HIV/AIDS and their families under the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program.
• To make available special education for children ages 3-5 through Special Education Preschool Grants.

The Census Influences Funding of Programs for People with Disabilities

According to the National Council on Disability, nearly one-third of households in America had at least one member with a disability. This statistic does not include an additional 2.1 million in nursing homes and group homes. In addition to government funding for general federal health care and education programs, the census influences a number of programs that directly serve individuals with disabilities.
Voting Access for Individuals with Disabilities -- $10.5 million
The Voting Access for Individuals with Disabilities grant program provides support to states to establish, expand, and improve access to the election process for more than 20 million individuals with disabilities who are of voting age. Grant awards have supported a range of activities including the development of training videos for election officials, poll workers, and volunteers on providing assistance to voters with visual impairments and surveying polling places to determine accessibility needs...An accurate census helps empower people with disabilities. In addition to influencing funding for programs directed toward people with disabilities, an accurate count has a huge impact on the financial health and political influence of the communities in which individuals with disabilities live.

Political Power – The census shapes voting districts, which can determine whether individuals and their communities are fairly represented in Congress, state legislatures and local governments. The census is also used to monitor whether people have access to the voting booth.

Education – Billions of dollars in education funding are distributed based on census information, including $7.7 billion in Title I spending to assist schools with high numbers or percentages of low-income students and $5.5 billion for Head Start, which provides grants for early childhood education and development programs for economically disadvantaged children and families.

Jobs – The census influences the distribution of community development block grants and is used by governments and private companies to decide where to invest in new housing, roads, and shopping centers. Census information also helps the government monitor discrimination and enforce the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Making Sure that Individuals with Disabilities Count
The Leadership Conference Education Fund is working with its national partners and local organizations across the country to make sure that every person is counted in the 2010 census. More information is available at www.civilrights.org/census.
Organizations that serve and advocate for people with disabilities can make a big difference by helping their clients and constituents understand the importance of the census and by helping individuals who have questions or need assistance completing the census form. Census forms will be distributed to households in mid-March. Forms are available in Braille. Help on filling out the forms is available through a toll-free telephone assistance line (1-866-872-6868) and TDD (1-866-783-2010).

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Comments

[Sarah Demeters]

the census forms don't even ask about disability. all they ask about is race race race so why are you saying the census helps give money to us. this is just more govt snooping.

[Janine]

i thought maybe i missed something too? it just counted the people in the house by race & age. this really isnt pertinent to disability AT ALL. already sent it back.

[Robyn Powell]

check out our website for more info on the census and people with disabilities, as well as a vlog for the Deaf community - www.dpcma.org

Unfortunately, disability is not included on the Census form. However, Federal funding for services important to people with disabilities are determined by the total population of a state and community. These include special ed, vocational rehab, Medicaid, Medicare, SSI, accessible transit, and housing. Further, some states at risk of losing a Congressional Delegate. The less representation the state has, the less opportunity for OUR voices to be heard in Washington DC.

[Nancie Etzel]

I asked about this situation on the Census 2010 website and I was told that the data from Census 2000 and the American Community Survey provide info re: those of us with disabilities. HOWEVER, that data has not been compiled. In addition, the insert in the Census says that "the amount of government money your neighborhood receives also depends on these answers. That money is used for services for children and the elderly, roads, and many other local needs". We have people confined to nursing homes - how are community support services determined if we are not accounted for in this Census?

[abigal adams]

I have hearing impaired since childhood. In addition, I am a historian and genealogist. I was completely surprised the 2010 census did not ask any questions in regards to disability as prior census.

Why is this important? Not just political and but for genetic medical reasons.

I was able to trace my hearing disability back 4 generations in the US Census and discover it runs in the family on many branches back 200 years through children of cousins being born and diagnosed to date.

We now have a medical family tree showing this one disease which has affected generations and continues to do so.

I vision, with advances in medical science and tracing your medical roots through the US Census question on disabilities perhaps some genetic diseases which cause disability could be prevented.

Yes, we do count.

[Ralph]

Yes, and again you try to find disability employment information and you get information on all kinds of distraction that has nothing to do with EMPLOYMENT.
Please try to stay on the subject.

[John E. Smith]

i don't know why this Census story was listed here. it's NOT A guest column! CONFUSING blog...
and yes, all the census form wanted to know was my RACE!
why is that all the govt cares about? why is this more important than disability when disabled are 20 percent and Blacks are 12 percent?
fed up. VOTE THEM OUT!

[JoAnn M Fritsche]

I am thoroughly disgusted that the census form included no questions about disability.

A study conducted in WA found that 38% of households include at least one person with a significant disability. People with disAbilities are the LARGEST minority group in the U.S. The aging of the population & returning disabled vets are making People with disabilities the EMERGING MAJORITY.