The U.S. Census Bureau has released key statistics ahead of the upcoming anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 2026. Signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1990, the ADA is a landmark civil rights measure prohibiting discrimination based on disability and ensuring equal access across various sectors, including public facilities, employment, and transportation.
According to 2024 American Community Survey estimates, 45.8 million, or 13.7%, of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population reported a disability. West Virginia recorded the highest percentage at 19.6%, while New Jersey and Utah had some of the lowest rates at 11.0% each.
The survey also revealed that 10.5 million individuals aged 18 to 64 with a disability were employed in 2024. For those aged 16 and over with earnings, the median income was $34,114 in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars. These figures underscore the ongoing impact and relevance of the ADA in American society.