Disability Data/Research Resources

These resources are available to provide statistical data and provide information on other disability related topics. Many resources now post their information on Web sites, which makes researching disability data readily accessible and fast. Outlined below is information on some of the data resources regarding people with disabilities.

National Center on Health Statistics (NCHS)
The National Center on Health Statistics in 1998 made available national information on assistive devices used by people with disabilities. The data covers: anatomical devices (braces, artificial limbs), mobility devices, hearing devices and vision devices and is available in NCHS's Website: http://www.cdc.gov/nchswww/default.htm. To obtain a print or CD-ROM copy, call (301) 436-7551. A CD-ROM is also available which offers far more disability data than appears either on their Web site or is available in print.

National Organization on Disability (NOD)
The 1998 National Organization on Disability/Harris Poll of Americans with Disabilities, a nationwide survey of 1,000 Americans with disabilities aged 16 and older, found that Americans with disabilities continue to lag well behind other Americans in many of the most basic aspects of life. For more information on this study visit NOD's Website: http://www.nod.org, or call (202) 283-5960 (V) or (202) 293-5968 (TDD).

The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)
The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research is a federal government agency charged with maintaining disability statistics. NIDRR published Chartbook on Work and Disability in the United States, 1998, a compendium of key findings from numerous statistical sources. It can be viewed on the Website, or in print copy.

Website: http://www.infouse.com/disabilitydata/workdisability.html 
Phone: (202) 205-5633 (V)

Disability Statistics Center
The Disability Statistics Center is a national center of research and training. The Center has ongoing research projects on the cost of disability, employment and earnings, access to health and long-term care services, housing, mortality and national statistical indicators on the status of people with disabilities in America.

Website: http://www.dsc.ucsf.edu/
Phone: (415) 502-5217 (V)

The Census Bureau
The Census Bureau maintains a disability statistics web site. The statistics include information on the numbers of persons with disabilities on a state-by-state and metropolitan area basis.

Website: http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/disability/disability.html 
Phone: (301) 457-3242 (V)