Assessing the Need for a National Disability Survey: Final Report

As state and federal agencies strive to meet the growing needs of people with disabilities while using fewer resources, better disability data are needed for monitoring and improving the health, economic status, and overall well-being of this population. A report by staff from the Center for Studying Disability Policy found gaps in survey data used to inform national disability policies and programs that could negatively affect the ability of state and federal governments to monitor the well-being of this group, and to manage and improve programs. The report identifies limitations in national survey data on disability and outlines a wide range of potential short- and long-term options for addressing them, including developing and fielding a national disability survey.