How Many People in the US are Disabled?

Posted by:

Johannes Sauer

Reviewed by:

Jennie Stanford

Updated at: September 05, 2024

Table of Contents

How many Americans are disabled?
What is considered a disability?
What are the most common disabilities in the US?
1. Americans with Parkinsons
2. Americans with Multiple Sclerosis
3. Americans with Cerebral Palsy
4. Americans with Neuropathy
5. Americans with Foot Drop
6. Americans with Stroke-Related Disabilities
A Future Outlook

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.

How many Americans are disabled?

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.

What is considered a disability?

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).

What are the most common disabilities in the US?

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.

Americans with Parkinsons

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.

Americans with Multiple Sclerosis

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.

Americans with Cerebral Palsy

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.

Americans with Neuropathy

Aug 13, 2024

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.

Americans with Foot Drop

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.

A Future Outlook

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.

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FAQ

What is the most common disability?

The Pew Research Center says that difficulties walking or climbing is the most common disability, affecting around 7% of the US population.

What is the difference between disabled and handicapped?

While the words “disabled” and “handicapped” may sound synonymous (and are often used interchangeably), they are not the same.

Definitions of both vary, but the word “disability” is more about an objective deficit, while the word “handicap” is more about a subjective one, or the possible effects of the disability.

The Disability Resource Community defines a disability as “a reduction of function or the absence of a particular body part or organ."

Most other definitions for “disability” we have encountered are similar.

The Disability Resource community defines a handicap as “a disadvantage resulting from a disability that limits or prevents fulfillment."

The Emory University School of Medicine offers a slightly different definition for handicap, which is “a disadvantage in filling a role in life relative to a peer group.”

So, as an example, not being able to walk with a natural gait is a disability.

A person is handicapped if that inability makes it hard for them to participate in activities with their peer group, and/or causes them to feel they are unfulfilled in their life.

So, if you have a hard time living independently, or going on a job with a friend, or fully enjoying life, you could say you are handicapped by your disability.

Wearing therapeutic footwear, doing physical therapy, and walking regularly may all help you to manage and treat conditions like foot drop so you can reduce your disability and your handicap.

In fact, shoes for foot drop can help decrease your handicap even before your disability reduces, since they can help you cross uneven surfaces before you recover your ability to fully lift the front parts of your feet.

What percent of the population has MS?

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America says that for people in the US, the average risk of developing the disease is under half of 1%. To remind you of what we said earlier, the number of people in the US estimated to have MS is around 1 million. The total US population as of 2022 was 333.3 million.

That means only around 0.003% of the US population has been diagnosed with MS.

Posted by: Johannes Sauer

Johannes is the CEO and Co-Founder of Cadense and passionate about helping people with walking difficulties. Johannes is the CEO and Co-Founder of Cadense and passionate about helping people with walking difficulties. He was immediately drawn to the mission of the company because his cousin lost his lower leg in a tragic motorcycle accident a few years ago and is experiencing walking difficulties ever since. Johannes brings over a decade of experience in working for consumer product companies to Cadense. He holds an MBA from the University of Graz in Austria. Johannes lives with his family in Santa Barbara, CA.

Reviewed by: Jennie Stanford

Dr. Jennie Stanford, MD, FAAFP, DipABOM, is a highly accomplished physician who has made significant contributions to the fields of obesity medicine and metabolic health. Her expertise and dedication to patient care have earned her a reputation as a leading authority in these areas. Dr. Jennie Stanford, MD, FAAFP, DipABOM, is a highly accomplished physician who has made significant contributions to the fields of obesity medicine and metabolic health. Her expertise and dedication to patient care have earned her a reputation as a leading authority in these areas. After obtaining her Doctor of Medicine degree from the prestigious University of Mississippi Medical Center, Dr. Stanford went on to achieve board certification from both the American Board of Obesity Medicine and the American Board of Family Medicine. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Stanford is a prolific medical writer and educator. She leverages her expertise to create informative and engaging content that educates both healthcare professionals and the general public about the latest advances in obesity medicine and metabolic health. Her written works, which include articles, blog posts, and educational materials, have been widely published and have helped to raise awareness about the importance of preventing and treating obesity and related metabolic disorders. As a recognized leader in her field, Dr. Jennie Stanford continues to advance the understanding and treatment of obesity and metabolic disorders. Her tireless efforts to educate, mentor, and provide exceptional patient care serve as an inspiration to her colleagues and a testament to her commitment to improving the lives of those affected by these conditions.

How the Best Shoes to Prevent Falls Support Safer Walking at Any Age - best shoes to prevent falls - Cadense adaptive shoes for trips, slips and falls

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How Many People in the US are Disabled?

How many Americans are disabled?

What is considered a disability?