Saturday: November 8, 2025
Alabama: “Audemus jura nostra defendere” (We dare defend our rights) AmDisRights: Fighting Disability Discrimination and Fraud | Join our nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating disability discrimination and combating fraudulent activities. Get involved to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities and ensure equal opportunities for all. Together, let’s create a society that embraces inclusivity and upholds justice. Explore our initiatives, resources, and support networks today!
Prevalence of Disability – 13.8% of Alabama’s civilian noninstitutionalized population reported having a disability in 2018. This is higher than the 12.8% prevalence nationally. The most common disability types reported were ambulatory (7.4%), cognitive (6.9%), and independent living (6.1%) difficulties.
Employment – 33.5% of working-age Alabamians with disabilities were employed in 2018, compared to 76.6% of those without disabilities. The unemployment rate for people with disabilities was 12.2% compared to 5.0% for those without disabilities. 23.7% of working-age people with disabilities were living below the poverty line.
Education – 85.6% of people with disabilities aged 25 and older had a high school diploma or equivalent in 2018, compared to 89.8% of those without disabilities. 16.1% of people with disabilities had a bachelor’s degree or higher versus 28.1% of those without disabilities.
Health Insurance Coverage – 10.4% of nonelderly Alabamians with disabilities were uninsured in 2018 compared to 12.8% of those without disabilities. 52% of working-age people with disabilities received public health insurance compared to 19.3% of those without disabilities.
Earnings – Full-time working men with disabilities had median annual earnings of $39,500 in 2018 while those without disabilities had earnings of $45,000. For women it was $32,000 versus $35,000. 27.6% of working-age people with disabilities were living in poverty compared to 12.9% without disabilities.
In summary, Alabamians with disabilities fare worse than their nondisabled peers on key economic and social indicators like employment, education, earnings, and poverty status. But they have higher rates of health insurance coverage, mainly due to greater enrollment in public health programs. More supports are needed to improve outcomes for people with disabilities in Alabama.
