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DISABILITIES The Americans with Disabilities Act is a milestone law that guarantees equal opportunity for people with disabilities. • About 8.1 million people have difficulty seeing, including 2 million who are blind or unable to see. • About 7.6 million people experience difficulty hearing, including 1.1 million whose difficulty is severe. About 5.6 million use a hearing aid. • Approximately 2.4 million have Alzheimer’s disease, senility, or dementia.

TOP 10 CAUSES OF DISABILITY IN THE U.S.

1. Arthritis and rheumatism 2. Back or spine problems 3. Heart trouble 4. Lung or respiratory problems 5. Mental or emotional problems 6. Diabetes 7. Deafness or hearing problems 8. Stiffness or deformity of limbs or extremities 9. Blindness or vision problems 10. Stroke Source: Spinalstenosis.org

• Being frequently depressed or anxious such that it interferes with ordinary activities is reported by 7 million adults.

• 41 percent of those age 21 to 64 with any disability are employed, compared with 79 percent of those with no disability. Source: U.S. Census Bureau. DID YOU KNOW? • People with disabilities are more likely to experience persistent poverty. • People with disabilities often experience discrimination and prejudice. • People with disabilities often find others stereotype them. • People with disabilities often find the physical environment difficult to access.

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