Vulnerable and Hard-to-Reach Population FACT SHEET: The Physically Disabled
This fact sheet provides information about a population in Florida that is potentially vulnerable and/or hard-to-reach before, during, and after a disaster event. Preparedness requires understanding the demographics and characteristics of these groups in order to best meet the needs of all persons.
Definitions
Census 2000: A condition that substantially limits one or more basic physical activities such as walking, climbing stairs, reaching, lifting, or carrying. Florida Statute 413.08: Any person who has a physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
Demographics
United States About 11.2 million persons between 16 and 64 years have a physical disability (Census 2000). 28.6% of persons 65 years and older have a physical disability. Florida 1.7 million Floridians age 5 years and older (10%) are physically disabled. o Non-institutionalized elderly (age 65 years and older): 713,534 o Ages 16-64 years: 678,177
General Information
Some Causes of Physical Disabilities Disease states (e.g. Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, stroke) Accidental/Injury (e.g. head injury/cerebral trauma, paralysis, spinal cord injury) Congenital (e.g. cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy)
Determining Physical Disability The Florida Department of Health Division of Disability Determinations utilizes the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) guidelines on determining disability status. o SSA provides 100% federal funding for the physically disabled in Florida as in other states.
Living with a Physical Disability Physical disabilities cut across all ages, genders, races, and ethnic groups. Some physically disabled individuals may have compounded vulnerabilities in a disaster event (e.g. the homeless, non-institutionalized elderly, visitors/tourists). Lifetime cost for home-based healthcare for individuals 65 years and older with a general disability: $174,000 o Nursing home/facility-based care: $179,000 (Source: AARP 2005)
Some Sources of Assistance in Florida Access Travel Guide Publishing in Clearwater, FL, provides information about recreation to the physically handicapped so they might lead fuller lives. Employment Coalition of Florida in Fort Lauderdale, FL, educates and trains employment specialists and business people for the purpose of helping persons with disabilities and disadvantages to secure successful employment. Able Trust in Tallahassee, FL, provides Floridians with disabilities fair employment opportunities through fundraising, grant programs, public awareness, and education.
For More Information
1. Cohen, M. A., Weinrobe, M., Miller, J., & Ingoldsby, A. (2005). Becoming Disabled after Age 65: The Expected Lifetime Costs of Independent Living. Retrieved March 15, 2006, from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Web site: http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/il/2005_08_costs.pdf. Employment Coalition of Florida, Inc. (2006). Employment Coalition of Florida, Inc. Home. Retrieved March 16, 2006 from www.disabilitycoalition.com/. Florida Department of Health: Division of Disability Determinations. (2003). Division of Disability Determinations. Retrieved March 16, 2006, from www.doh.state.fl.us/DD/DDDdescription.html. Social Security Administration. (2006). Benefits for People with Disabilities. Retrieved March 16, 2006, from www.ssa.gov/disability/. The Able Trust. (2001). The Able Trust. Retrieved March 16, 2006, from www.abletrust.org/. The Florida Senate. (2005). The 2005 Florida Statutes. Retrieved March 17, 2006, from www.flsenate.gov/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0413/SEC08.H TM&Title=->2005->Ch0413->Section%2008#0413.08. University of Wisconsin-Madison, College of Engineering: Trace Center. (n.d.). A Brief Introduction to Disabilities. Retrieved March 17, 2006, from http://trace.wisc.edu/docs/population/briefintro.pdf. US Census Bureau (n.d.). Census 2000: Age by Types of Disability for the Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population 5 Years and Over with Disabilities [19]. Retrieved March 15, 2006, from http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DTTable?_bm=y&-context=dt&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U&CONTEXT=dt&-mt_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U_P041&-tree_id=403&-redoLog=true&-all_geo_types=N&geo_id=01000US&-geo_id=04000US12&-search_results=01000US&-format=&-_lang=en. US Census Bureau. (2003). Census 2000 Brief – Disability Status: 2000. Retrieved March 15, 2006, from www.census.gov/prod/2003pubs/c2kbr-17.pdf.
2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
7. 8.
9.
Updated 6/26/09