Disability Market Demographics

Persons with disabilities have a huge influence on the United States’ economy. Whether it is regarding work issues or contributions to the economy, the statistics speak for themselves.

Of the 54 million of people limited in their activities due to long-term disability:

73% are the heads of households

58% own their own homes

48% are principal shoppers

46% are married

77% have no children

In 1995, people with disabilities spent $81.7 billion on travel. This did not include the significant expenditures of their families, friends, and escorts. (Source: Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality).

The aggregate income of people with disabilities tops $1 trillion. This includes $220 billion in discretionary income.

Of the 69.6 million families in the United States, 20.3 million families have at least one member with a disability.

Four out of 10 people with disabilities conduct business and personal activities online, spending an average of 20 hours per week logged onto the Internet. That’s more time on average than non-disabled Web surfers spend online.

Among people with disabilities, 48% say that the Internet has significantly improved the quality of their lives. Compare this to only 27% of adults without disabilities.

According to the March 2001 supplement to the Current Population Survey, the mean earnings in 2000 of year-round, full-time workers 16 to 64 with work disabilities was $33,109. (Source: National Organization on Disability – www.nod.org)

The most productive contributors to society are the youngest cohort: 18 to 29 year olds. For example, these younger people with disabilities are almost as likely as their non-disabled counterparts to go out to restaurants at least once per week (Compare: 59% of this group, versus 61% of non-disabled young people, eats out regularly.) (Source: National Organization on Disability – www.nod.org).

The employment picture for 18-29 year olds is the most promising. Among this cohort, 57% of those with disabilities who are able to work are employed, compared to 72% of their non-disabled counterparts. (Source: National Organization on Disability – www.nod.org).

According to a General Accounting Office report, implementing the access provisions of the ADA has increased revenues in the hotel and hospitality industry by 12 percent.

Companies marketing to people with disabilities can reach as many as four in every 10 consumers.

Three in four adults say they would be likely to switch to a brand associated with a “good cause.” (Source: 1997 Cone/Roper Cause-Related Marketing Trends Report)

The top five cities where people with disabilities live are:

5) Buffalo, New York

4) Newark, New Jersey

3) Miami, Florida

2) Baltimore, Maryland

1) Detroit, Michigan

(Source: Ten Places of 100,000 or More with Highest Percentage of People with Disabilities in the Civilian Noninstituationalized Population 5 years old and over, 2000) *Source: U.S. Census Bureau