Americans with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guarantees people with disabilities equal access to government and commercial facilities, employment, transportation and telecommunications. The legislation was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990.

Facts about Americans with physical impairments and how the act affects their lives 51.2 million – Americans have some level of disability. They make up 18% of the population. 11% – Children, ages 6 – 14, have a disability. 72% – People 80 and older have a disability.

2.7 million – Americans 15 and older who use a wheelchair – an additional 9.1 million use a cane, crutches or a walker. 1.8 million – Americans 15 and older who are blind. 1 million – Americans 15 and older who are unable to hear.

14.3 million – Americans who have mental impairments, emotional problems, depression, Alzheimer's disease or mental retardation.

On the Job 1.8 million – Americans 16 to 64 who have medical condition that makes it difficult to find a job or stay employed. The ADA gives them access to the workplace. 44% – American workers with a nonsevere disability who work full-time year round (53% of nonimpaired workers are employed full time). $22,000 – Median earnings for full–time workers with a nonsevere disability, compared with $25,000 for nondisabled workers.

Disabled Veterans Disabled Veterans 2.3 million – American veterans who receive compensation for service–related disabilities in 2004 (506,000 from World War II; 237,000 from Korean War; 1 million from Vietnam War; 540,000 from the Persian Gulf War).

Computer users 29% – Americans with severe disabilities who use a computer and the Internet at home. Source for all facts: U.S. Census Bureau