The American Community Survey: A Tool for Describing the Family and Household Experiences of Children and Adolescents with Disabilities

Robin T. Levine, U.S. Census Bureau

The IDEA and ADA legislation serve as a major impetus behind the national recognition of the need for effective policies and programs required to address the concerns of children and adolescents with disabilities. Statistical information is therefore needed to facilitate the design and implementation of such policy and program efforts. The American Community Survey (ACS) collects information about the social, economic, demographic, and housing characteristics of the American public on an annual basis. One of the ACS's many strengths lies in its collection of data regarding individuals with long lasting conditions and those who have difficulty performing daily tasks. The proposed poster will highlight findings from a descriptive analysis that will summarize key demographic, family, and household characteristics of children and adolescents with disabilities that can be used to enhance relevant policy and programs .