How Many People in the US are Disabled?

If you or someone you care about is disabled, you may be wondering how widespread disability is in America. In this post, we share some data about how many people in the US are disabled, as well as some stats for some specific disabilities.

Exact estimates for the number of disabled people in the US vary, but according to Statista, about 13.5% of the US population was disabled in 2021. About 46% of people in the US ages 75 and above were disabled.

Keep in mind that estimates for the number of disabled persons in the US come from census data. It is likely that the actual percentage of Americans who are disabled significantly exceeds the estimate, as many disabilities go unreported. 

The definition of a disability depends on the context. If you are applying for disability assistance, you need to meet the definition set by the agency or organization providing that assistance.

But here is a general definition from the CDC: “A disability is any condition of the body or mind (impairment) that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities (activity limitation) and interact with the world around them (participation restrictions).”

Disabilities can include chronic or lifelong injuries, impairments or diseases, acute conditions, and even psychological conditions. 

A disability that is not adequately managed can lead to handicaps (see the FAQ for more information about disabilities and handicaps).

The Pew Research Center reports that the most common disabilities in the US are those that affect walking, the ability to live independently, or cognition. 

• Difficulties with walking or climbing: 7%
• Difficulties living independently: 6%
• Cognitive challenges: 5%

Again, these are reported disabilities. The actual percentages are probably higher than the reported numbers. 

Below, we share some stats on the number of people in the US who are living with certain common conditions that cause disabilities related to walking and climbing.

The Parkinson’s Foundation reports that around 1 million people in the US have Parkinson’s disease. By 2030, they estimate it will be about 1.2 million. There are 90,000 new diagnoses of Parkinson’s disease in the US every year. 

Parkinson’s is one of the health conditions that can affect the ability to walk. Wearing shoes for Parkinson’s disease can help.

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, around 1 million people in the US had been diagnosed with MS as of 2019. There is a high concentration of MS in the US; the society also states that about 2.3 million people worldwide are believed to have MS. 

It is common for patients with MS to develop a condition called foot drop that makes it difficult to lift the front parts of the feet while walking. It can be helpful to wear shoes for MS. Find out more about living with MS.

The Cerebral Palsy Research Network reports that around 1 in every 354 people in the US has cerebral palsy, and that it is most widespread among boys. The foundation points out that more adults than children have CP, and that it is the most common movement disability affecting children. 

Patients with cerebral palsy may find it easier to walk when wearing shoes for cerebral palsy. Learn more about the causes and risks for cerebral palsy, as well as the disease’s symptoms.

Yale Medicine says that around 20 million people in the US have neuropathy. While neuropathy can be present on its own, it often is the result of an underlying condition, which could include diabetes, an autoimmune disorder, cancer, shingles, an injury, or another condition. 

The tingling, numbness, and other symptoms associated with neuropathy can lead to difficulties walking. Wearing shoes for neuropathy can offer stability and make walking easier.

As we discussed briefly already, foot drop is a condition that causes an unnatural gait, because it makes it hard to lift the front parts of the feet. How many Americans have foot drop? Because foot drop is a symptom, rather than a disease, it is difficult to get firm data. 

Indeed, the MS Trust says that there is no data available on how many MS patients have foot drop. So, even for a specific underlying condition where foot drop is a prevalent symptom, stats are hard to come by. 

Regardless, wearing shoes for foot drop that make it easier to walk on uneven surfaces without fully lifting the feet can make for a more natural gait and safer walking.

Getting a stroke also commonly can lead to difficulties walking. NIH says that around 795,000 people have a stroke every year in the US. Up to 30% of surviving stroke patients may develop foot drop afterwards. Sometimes, stroke is even associated with one of the other conditions we have talked about, like Parkinson’s disease.

Wearing shoes for stroke patients can help you to recover your gait after a stroke. Walking regularly and doing simple, gentle exercises is necessary if you want to get back to walking normally.

Three times as many people over the age of 65 are disabled in comparison to younger people, accounting for 40% of that population. Above the age of 85, more than half of people have one or more disabilities.

The paper above notes that in 2000, around 12% of the US population was in the age 65 and above bracket. By 2030, it is estimated that those in this age group will account for nearly 20% of the population. 

That means that there will be a growing population of people with disabilities, along with a growing need to provide support and care for those people so they can enjoy the best quality of life.

Throughout this post, we have discussed the importance of therapeutic footwear for those who have difficulties walking. Wearing therapeutic footwear offers the following benefits:

• Greater stability and a more natural gait
• Improved safety while walking, reducing the chances of trips and falls
• More comfort and ease while walking
• Increased independence and ability to do everyday tasks and activities 

The Cadense Original Adaptive Shoe for men and women is our top recommended footwear for those with the conditions we have discussed in this post.

These shoes feature patented variable friction technology, allowing for natural walking across uneven surfaces, even with foot drop. The feet “glide” over minor obstacles, which makes it possible to reduce unnatural gait and re-train a more ideal gait. 

The design and materials of these shoes reduce fatigue and enhance comfort and stability. As a result, it is easier, safer and more enjoyable to walk.