Disability and Education: Statistics, Outcomes, and Inclusion
Students with disabilities represent a significant portion of the student population, yet they often face systemic barriers to equal participation in education. This article examines the prevalence of disabilities among students, educational attainment, and factors impacting their educational journey. Further, it explores the challenges and disparities faced by students with disabilities, from early intervention through higher education and beyond, emphasizing the importance of understanding and addressing their unique needs.
Prevalence of Disabilities in Education
In 2022-23, approximately 7.5 million students ages 3-21 received special education and related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which is equivalent to 15 percent of all public school students. The number of students ages 3-21 served under IDEA in the United States increased from 6.4 million in school year 2012-13 to 7.5 million in school year 2022-23.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in 2019-2020, 20.5% of undergraduates and 10.7% of graduate students reported having a disability. These figures underscore the importance of understanding the experiences and needs of students with disabilities in higher education. It is important to keep in mind that disabilities may be underreported. In a longitudinal study between 2009 and 2016, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) found that only 37% of students with a disability reported their disability to their college.
Disability Among College Students
College students with disabilities have a variety of experiences. Despite how common disabilities are, society and institutions sometimes fail to provide adequate accommodations for everyone to participate equally. NCES’s count of students with disabilities includes those who reported being Deaf or hard of hearing; being blind or having low vision; having a learning disability; having a physical, mental, or emotional condition; or having difficulty walking or climbing stairs. Among students who are veterans, 28% of undergraduates and 20% of graduate students had a disability.
The American College Health Association (ACHA) found that the most commonly reported disabilities among undergraduates were:
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- Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD or ADHD) (17.2%)
- Learning disabilities (5.7%)
- Autism spectrum disorder (4.9%)
- Blindness or low vision (4.7%)
In general, fewer graduate students reported having a disability. But the most commonly reported were:
- ADD or ADHD (15%)
- Autism spectrum disorder (2.9%)
- Learning disabilities (2.5%)
- Deafness/hearing loss (2.3%)
Gender and Disability in College Students
In 2019-2020, NCES data showed that 54% of nonbinary undergraduate college students had a disability, compared to 22% of women and 18% of men students. Among graduate students, 40% of nonbinary students had a disability, versus 12% of women and 9% of men students. In 2024, the ACHA reported on types of disabilities among college students by gender, including transgender and gender-nonconforming students. 1 in 4 trans and gender-nonconforming undergraduates had autism, versus 3% of cis women and 4% of cis men. More than twice as many trans and gender-nonconforming undergraduates had ADD or ADHD compared to cis peers (37% vs. 16%). 9% of trans and gender-nonconforming students reported mobility or dexterity issues, versus 2% of cis women and 1% of cis men.
Disabilities are more prevalent among LGBTQ+ adults than in their cis, straight peers. According to Census Bureau data analyzed by the Human Rights Campaign in 2022, 36% of LGBTQ+ adults reported having a disability versus 24% of non-LGBTQ+ adults. Additionally, 52% of trans adults reported having a disability. It’s important to recognize how overlapping identities affect how students experience inclusion - or don’t.
Educational Attainment
Disability and High School Graduation: Data from NCES shows that students with some disabilities graduate high school at higher rates than all high school students. In 2021-2022, the overall high school graduation rate was about 74%. About 72% of autistic students and 80% of students with a specific learning disability graduated with a regular diploma.
However, high school students with some disabilities -such as autism and intellectual disabilities - are more likely than those without disabilities to receive an alternative to a diploma, such as a certificate of completion or a modified diploma.
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College Graduation Rates for Students With Disabilities
According to the Center for Research on Disability, college graduation rates for people with disabilities have been steadily climbing since 2008. However, the degree-achievement gap between people with and without disabilities was the same in 2023 as it was in 2022 - a 20.4 percentage point difference.
Among all special education students ages 14 to 21 who exited school in 2021-22, 74% graduated with a regular high school diploma. This outcome was less likely for Black (68%), American Indian or Alaska Native (69%), Pacific Islander (71%), Latino (73%) and multiracial (73%) students. These findings indicate that most children and youth of color who have disabilities are experiencing greater hurdles to high school graduation.
Disparities in Special Education
Disparities by race and ethnicity among students receiving special education for disabilities have existed for years. In 2022-23, the percentage of students receiving special education for disabilities was highest for American Indian or Alaska Native (19%) and Black (17%) students and lowest for Pacific Islander (12%) and Asian (8%) students. These disparities highlight the need for culturally responsive and equitable practices in special education.
Challenges Faced by Students with Learning Disabilities
School-age students with learning disabilities continue to face barriers due to the lack of proper funding, intensive intervention, accommodations, and resources to support their academic success. In 2020-2021, more than 2 million public school students received services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for a learning disability in reading, writing, and/or math. Many more students remain unidentified and underserved, perpetuating opportunity gaps.
IDEA and ADA: Legal Frameworks for Support
Having a Disability in College: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) helps ensure that students ages 3-21 in public schools can access services and accommodations they may need for learning, including an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). However, IDEA only applies to students before they graduate high school, meaning students with IEPs in high school lose them in college.
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College students are still protected by the ADA. The ADA mandates that public and private spaces -including colleges and universities -must provide accommodations, make reasonable modifications, and uphold certain accessibility standards for buildings. These accommodations include accessible ramps outside of buildings, access to note-taking technology, or extended testing time.
However, recent cuts within the Department of Education (ED), specifically the Office for Civil Rights, threaten accommodations and modifications for students with disabilities. Fewer staff could lead to delays in processing requests for necessary accommodations. In addition, layoffs at the Institute of Education Sciences hamper ED’s ability to report on outcomes for students, including those with disabilities.
Post-College Outcomes
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2024, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities was about double that for people without disabilities (7.5% vs. 3.8%). The unemployment rate for people with disabilities drops with higher levels of education. Even so, bachelor’s degree holders with disabilities face higher unemployment rates than those without disabilities. People with disabilities who are employed are more likely to be self-employed than people without disabilities (9.2% vs. 6%). They’re also almost twice as likely to work part time (31% vs. 17%).
Financial Aid and Student Loan Forgiveness
Like all students, students with disabilities can receive free financial aid for college, such as scholarships and grants. Sometimes, people with disabilities that impact their ability to work can qualify for student loan forgiveness.
Scholarships and Grants
Survey data from NCES’s 2020 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study shows that college undergraduates with disabilities report receiving similar levels of federal grant funding as other students. However, they receive less financial aid from their schools on average and less grant funding overall.
Average Grant Amounts Awarded to Students, 2015-2016:
| Type of Student | Federal Pell Grant Amount | Institutional Grant Amount | Total Grant Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students Without Disabilities | $4,150 | $10,040 | $9,500 |
| Students With Disabilities | $4,040 | $9,310 | $8,450 |
Source: NCES Custom Table in PowerStats
Disability Student Loan Forgiveness
You could be eligible for a TPD if:
- The Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded you a disability determination.
- You receive Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income benefits.
- A doctor certifies that you can’t financially support yourself due to a serious, lasting condition.
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