Census Bureau mulls significant change to how it measures disabilities

The U.S. Census Bureau is considering a major overhaul in how disabilities would be defined by the federal government (Source: “The Census Bureau wants to change how it asks about disabilities. Some advocates don’t like it,” Associated Press, Dec. 8).
 
Disability advocates say the change would artificially reduce their numbers by almost half. At stake are not only whether people with disabilities get vital resources for housing, schools or program benefits but whether people with disabilities are counted accurately in the first place, experts said.
 
Census Bureau officials say the proposed change on its American Community Survey will align the U.S. with international standards, allowing comparisons among countries. They also say it will better capture how disabilities occur in the real world, since they rarely fit neatly into stark yes-or-no boxes that don’t account for variations or nuance.
 
If given final approval, the changes to questions would be implemented in 2025. The ACS is the most comprehensive survey of American life, covering commuting times, internet access, family life, income, education levels, disabilities and military service, among other topics. The statistical agency was asked to make the change by the National Center for Health Statistics and is accepting public comment on the proposal through Dec. 19.