Assistive devices, technologies, and related services are used by individuals with disabilities and chronic conditions of all ages to improve their health, independence and function:

• Over fifteen million Americans with disabilities reported using assistive devices or technologies in recent surveys. (National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, 2001)

• Based on 1994-95 data, it has been estimated that 6.8 million Americans used some kind of assistive device for mobility, including approximately 1.7 million who used wheelchairs or scooters. (National Center for Health Statistics)

• In 1994, an estimated 4.6 million persons in the U.S. household population used assistive technology devices for orthopedic impairments (including missing limbs), 4.5 million for hearing impairments (not including impairments fully compensated by hearing aids), and 0.5 million for vision impairments. Use of any mobility device for all ages had the highest prevalence rate at 28.5 per 1,000 persons. (National Center for Health Statistics)

• The number of wheelchair users has grown to approximately 2.2 million. Another 6.4 million used some other ambulatory aid such as a cane, crutches or a walker. (United States Census Bureau, 2001)

• A third of persons 50 and over surveyed use some type of special equipment or assistive technology in their daily activities. (AARP, 2003) These devices and technologies include:

  • walker, cane or crutches (69%)
  • aids for bathing or using the toilet (51%)
  • wheelchair or scooter (47%)
  • other home modifications for movement (37%)
  • orthopedic equipment (37%)
  • other aids for daily activities (33%)
  • communications and reading equipment (14%)
  • oxygen or respirator (14%)

  • hearing aids (13%)

• Over 14 million Americans report living in homes and using cars or vans that have been modified to meet their needs. (National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, 2001)

References:

AARP, Beyond 50.03: A Report to the Nation on Independent Living and Disability, 2003 (using data collected as part of AARP/Harris Interactive Survey of Persons Age 50+ with Disabilities, 2002)

National Health Interview Survey on Disability, Phase I file, National Center for Health Statistics, 1994-1995.

Carlson, D., Ehrlich, N., Berland, B.J., and Bailey, N., Assistive Technology Survey Results: Continued Benefits and Needs Reported by Americans with Disabilities, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, 2001.

United States Census Bureau, Americans with Disabilities: Household Economic Studies, 2001 (using 1997 data).