Census Results Helping Americans Living with Disabilities
By Office of Communication
Posted on July 14, 2020, July 14, 2020

Man in wheelchair with co-worker

This month marks 30 years since President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law. The act prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodations, commercial facilities, telecommunications and state and local government services.

As the country works to improve the lives of people with disabilities, it’s crucial to know where these Americans live. That is where the U.S. Census Bureau comes in.

The Constitution requires the Bureau to count the United States population every ten years. But the Bureau also tracks populations and trends in the years between the nationwide counts.

According to the 2018 American Community Survey, 40.6 million Americans, or 12.6 percent, live with a disability. The number is slightly lower in Texas, at 11.4 percent of the state’s population. The most common disabilities in Texas include hearing loss, vision problems, cognitive difficulty and struggles with independent living.

Many of our neighbors with disabilities rely on assistance from federal programs and local nonprofits. One of the best ways to make sure these programs are funded is to fill out your Census. Knowing where Americans live, and the challenges they face, helps the government decide how to allocate your tax dollars. And it is not too late to respond to the 2020 Census. Your response will shape Arlington’s future for the next decade.

Click here to respond to the 2020 Census.

Click here to learn more about Arlington’s commitment to accessibility or to register feedback.

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