title: An evaluation of the American Community Survey indicators of disability.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Collection of data in the Census for implementing disability legislation has been continuous since 1970 although the questions used have changed several times. Concerns have been raised about the ability of the newest question set developed for the American Community Survey (ACS) to adequately represent the population with disabilities because it does not capture all those eligible for certain benefit programs.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Using national data, we examine how the addition of questions on the receipt of SSI/SSDI changes the composition of the population identified by the ACS measures. In ancillary materials we also examine the addition of a work limitation question to the population identified by ACS measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using descriptive secondary analysis of 2011 NHIS data we compare the characteristics of those identified by the ACS questions to those identified by the ACS questions and receipt of SSI/SSDI and those only receiving SSI/SSDI. The comparison is based on conditions, specific functional limitations and severity of limitation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results provide evidence ACS questions identify a population representing persons at risk for participation difficulties including those who receive SSI/SSDI. The ACS population has higher proportions with mental health and development disabilities than comparison population. The ancillary data demonstrates the work limitation question does not make a significant difference in identifying recipients of SSI/SSDI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The analysis demonstrates that the disability measures developed for the ACS produce an unbiased picture of the population with disabilities by including persons with all conditions, more severe disability or selected types of functional limitations.
authors.affiliation: 14608 Melinda Lane, Rockville, MD 20853, USA. Electronic address: b.altman@verizon.net.
authors.forename: Barbara M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Altman
authors.affiliation: National Center for Health Statistics, 3311Toledo Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Madans
authors.affiliation: National Center for Health Statistics, 3311Toledo Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782, USA.
authors.forename: Julie D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Weeks
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019352:Censuses; D002658:Developmental Disabilities; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004608:Eligibility Determination; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States; D019131:United States Social Security Administration; D014937:Work; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: American Community Survey; Disability; Measurement; Work limitation