Disability in America

Running head: DISABILITY IN AMERICA
Disability in America
Name of the University:
Name of the Student:
Author Note:

1 Disability in America
A recent study has shown that around 40 million of the population of America, is
suffering from disabilities. Around 12.6% non-institutionalised civilians of the country are
suffering from some or the other disability as per the information of the U.S. Census Bureau
and this percentage varies demographically all across the country (Kraus). Disability is
becoming an increasing social challenge for the government of the country. One of the largest
minority group in the country is the group with the disabled people. Six types of serious
disability regarding hearing, cognition, vision, independent living and walking or climbing
have been found in the country that have affected a serious portion of the population of the
country, jeopardizing their personal life. In a recent report, the U.S. Centres for Disease
Control have confirmed that around 30% of the population of America is seen with disability
regarding walking or climbing up the stairs (Kraus). The report has further confirmed that the
percentage is more visible in the south of the country, including, Alabama, Mississippi,
Tennessee and Minnesota. This form of disability is visible among all of the population,
irrespective of their age. From the 5 years old to the 75 years old, all are the victims of the
disability (Kraus). Interestingly, this kind of disability is more visible among the native
whites and the African- Americans, and the Hispanics are seen to be affected the least.

2 Disability in America
Therefore, in the following essay, the concept and meaning of Mobility Disability and
the people who are tended to get affected by this, is discussed. On that note, two readings by,
David Sedaris and Nancy Mairs, are evaluated.
Sedaris, David. Me talk pretty one day. Hachette UK, 2010.
David Sedaris, in “Me Talking Pretty One Day”, has shown that how he got
embarrassed by the teachers and students of the class when he decided to take French lessons
at the age of 41. The humourist, through sarcasm has upheld, the stories of his life in this
story, much of which revolves round his experiences at school, where he is bullied, and been
picked up by other children and been humiliated by the teachers. The author had written, “My
only comfort was the knowledge that I was not alone. Huddled in the hallways and making
the most of our pathetic French, my fellow student s and I engaged in the sort of conversation
commonly overheard in the refugee camp” (Sedaris). This is much true for the disabled
children at the schools of America as well. They are often seen to have been bullied and
humiliated at the school ground, and the teachers have been no different to them than the
students. This is believed to be one of the major truth for the lesser rate of education in the
country. From the recent studies, it is seen that about 13.7% of the American population are
affected by the Mobility Disease that essentially includes serious difficulty regarding the
walking or climbing up stairs. Every one in four people are affected by the disease. People,
irrespective of their age is seen as a victim of this disease. Students of 18 years old are
increasingly getting affected by this disease. The children of 4 or 5 years, have also seen to be
a victim of the same (Moncayo and Antonio). A good number of people have seen to have
dropped out of school. The disabled ones are increasingly seen to bed dropping out of schools
or colleges. A recent study has shown that among the total number of 25 years old, somewhat
around 28% disabled students have a high school education, and only 13% have a bachelor’s