1 — U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS • bls.gov

Persons with a

Disability, 2018

Current Population Survey (CPS)

Division of Labor Force Statistics

News Release Date: February 26, 2019

Presentation for ODEP: March 27, 2019
2 — U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS TATISTICS • bls.gov bls.gov

The Current Population Survey (CPS)

◼ Monthly survey of about 60,000 households nationwide

◼ Universe: civilian noninstitutional population age 16 and older

◼ Data on:

Labor force status

Demographic characteristics

Earnings

A number of other topics
3 — U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS TATISTICS • bls.gov bls.gov

The Current Population Survey (CPS) 

Continued

◼ Six questions to identify those with a disability added to the 

CPS in June 2008

◼ Including disability questions in the CPS is a joint effort 

between BLS and ODEP
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The 6 Survey Questions

1. Is anyone deaf or does anyone have serious difficulty 

hearing?

2. Is anyone blind or does anyone have serious difficulty seeing 

even when wearing glasses?

3. Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does 

anyone have serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, 

or making decisions?
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The 6 Survey Questions

Continued

4. Does anyone have serious difficulty walking or climbing 

stairs?

5. Does anyone have difficulty dressing or bathing?

6. Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does 

anyone have difficulty doing errands alone such as visiting a 

doctor’s office or shopping?
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Older persons are more likely to have a disability

SOURCE: Current Population Survey, 2018 annual averages
7 — U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS TATISTICS • bls.gov bls.gov

A greater proportion of persons with a disability 

are age 65 and older

SOURCE: Current Population Survey, 2018 annual averages
8 — U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS TATISTICS • bls.gov bls.gov

Persons with a disability are less likely to be in 

the labor force

SOURCE: Current Population Survey, 2018 annual averages
9 — U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS TATISTICS • bls.gov bls.gov

Labor force participation rate for those with a 

disability little changed in 2018

SOURCE: Current Population Survey, 2018 annual averages
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Employment-population ratio edged up for those 

with a disability in 2018

SOURCE: Current Population Survey, 2018 annual averages
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Employment-population ratios by race, ethnicity, 

and disability status

NOTE: Persons of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity may be of any race.

SOURCE: Current Population Survey, 2018 annual averages
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Employment-population ratios by educational 

attainment

SOURCE: Current Population Survey, 2018 annual averages
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Percent distribution of employed persons by 

occupation and disability status

SOURCE: Current Population Survey, 2018 annual averages
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Percent distribution of employed persons by class 

of worker and disability status

SOURCE: Current Population Survey, 2018 annual averages
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Persons with a disability are more likely to work 

part time

SOURCE: Current Population Survey, 2018 annual averages
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Persons employed part time for economic 

reasons by disability status

SOURCE: Current Population Survey, 2018 annual averages
17 — U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS TATISTICS • bls.gov bls.gov

Unemployment rate for persons with a disability 

declined in 2018

SOURCE: Current Population Survey, 2018 annual averages
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Unemployment rates by age and disability status, 

2018

SOURCE: Current Population Survey, 2018 annual averages
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Proportion of persons not in the labor force who 

want a job by disability status, 2018

SOURCE: Current Population Survey, 2018 annual averages
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Selected labor force indicators, persons with a 

disability, 2009-2018

SOURCE: Current Population Survey, 2009-2018 annual averages
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CPS Disability Data online

◼ Annual Disability press release

◼ May 2012 CPS Disability supplement press release

◼ Monthly employment data (Table A-6)

◼ CPS Disability FAQ

◼ Even more on Disability

◼ Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey (CPS)
22 — U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS • bls.gov

Contact Information

Division of Labor Force Statistics

Current Population Survey (CPS) Office

CPSInfo@bls.gov

Kang.Janie-Lynn@bls.gov