The United States’ Response to the World Report on Disability

Abstract

The 2011 Annual Disability Status Report notes a disability prevalence rate of 12.1% in the United States. People with disabilities of all ages are increasing in prevalence, and the prevalence increases with age. People with disabilities are high users of health care, have less social participation, and have a higher risk for poverty. Although the United States has a robust history of policy and legislation related to disability and rehabilitation, the ratification of the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of People with Disabilities recently failed in the United States Congress. However, in general, the United States is positioned fairly well regarding most aspects of rehabilitation including a strong rehabilitation science providing a sound base for evidence-based practice. Three key areas of further development emerge: education about disability and benefits of rehabilitation to decision makers and administrators who are concerned with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, advocacy for a more robust organized presence and acknowledgement of rehabilitation science and research, and advocacy for education about disability and rehabilitation for physicians-in-training.