Why Should I Fill Out the Census?
Because it’s important to people with disabilities and their families!
Every 10 years, the United States counts everyone who lives in the country, regardless of age, nationality or ability. It is important that everyone – especially individuals and families living with a disability – respond to the 2020 Census. Information collected in the Census will inform the allocation of more than $675 billion in federal funds for states and communities each year for the next decade. That includes money for services that ensure people with disabilities have access to the supports they need to thrive!
The census determines allocations for real-life necessities critical to people with disabilities throughout their lifespan including:
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- State Children’s Health Insurance Programs
- Head Start and Early Head Start
- Special education grants
- Vocational rehabilitation services
Census figures help advocates, community leaders, and elected officials address disparities in housing, health care, employment, and education. The health and well-being, and the political power of all communities, rests on a fair and accurate census count. Elected officials cannot make informed decisions about how to allocate federal tax dollars fairly and effectively without an accurate accounting of the population.
Under normal circumstances, census workers will make door-to-door visits to homes in order to gather accurate data, but due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we are NOT living under “normal circumstances.” This makes it that much more important to fill out the forms either online or through the paper forms they send to your home. With these in-person visits by census workers likely to be impacted by the pandemic, there is a chance persons with disabilities will go uncounted and therefore be underfunded by the government. It takes only a few minutes and can have a lasting impact for years to come.
This funding is crucial when it comes to the wellbeing of those we serve. Please take a look at the resources below and be counted today!
Census resources:
Official Census.gov 2020 Website
An Accessible 2020 Census: FAQs by the Disability Community About Census Operations
CensusCounts.Org State By State Resources
For more information about Easterseals programs and services, visit our programs page.
And visit our COVID-19 page for updates and resources.
