Americans With Disabilities Act Anniversary July 26, 2021

The Americans With Disabilities Act Turns 31 Today.

On July 26, 1990, then-President George H.W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodations, commercial facilities, telecommunications, and state and local government services.

This Facts for Features provides a demographic snapshot of the U.S. population with a disability and examines various services available to them. The statistics come from various U.S. Census Bureau censuses and surveys, covering different periods of time.

The following facts are possible thanks to responses to the Census Bureau’s surveys. We appreciate the public’s cooperation as we continuously measure America’s people, places and economy.  

Americans With Disabilities Act: Did You Know?

41.1 million or 12.7%

The total civilian non-institutionalized population with a disability in the United States in 2019. 

Source: 2019 American Community Survey

19.8%

The percentage of the civilian non-institutionalized population in West Virginia in 2019 with a disability — the highest rate of any state in the nation. Utah, at 9.3%, had the lowest rate.

Source: 2019 American Community Survey

7.9 million

The total civilian non-institutionalized population ages 18 to 64 with a disability who were employed in 2019. 

Source: 2019 American Community Survey

$25,270

Median earnings in the past 12 months (in 2019 inflation-adjusted dollars) of the civilian noninstitutionalized population age 16 and over with a disability who had earnings in 2019.

Source: 2019 American Community Survey

More on Disability And The American With Disabilities Act

• Employment Status by Disability Status and Type
• Selected Economic Characteristics for the Civilian Non-institutionalized Population by Disability Status