This document “Why the Census Matters for People with Disabilities: A Guide to the 2020 Census Operations & Challenges” was produced by Jae June Lee, Erika Hudson, & Cara Brumfield. The key takeaways are as follows:
- The decennial census is the constitutionally mandated count of all residents of the United States.
- Census data help direct more than $800 billion a year in federal funding, including for key programs that support and protect the rights of people with disabilities.
- The Census Bureau considers people with disabilities hard to count. However, the bureau has taken steps to make participation more accessible.
- Stakeholders can help ensure a fair and accurate count of people with disabilities. Community organizations can, for example, play a vital role as trusted partners in conducting effective outreach.
