Don't Judge People on Their Disability

October is National Disability Awareness Month and National Disability Employment Awareness Month. In a way, it is surprising that we need a proclamation of something so common.
Across all ages, genders, ethnicities and educational levels, about 11.9 percent of the U.S. population reports having a disability. Minnesota and Wisconsin have slightly lower levels, with 9.8 percent and 10.7 percent respectively.
The percentage of people with a disability grows as we age. Fewer than 1 percent of those younger than 4 have a disability. In the 75-and-older group, 50 percent of us have a disability. The origins of acquired disabilities are diverse, including illness and military service. With the appreciative rise in those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, the percentages may well be changing.