Census Bureau pauses changing how it asks about disabilities following backlash

Facing growing backlash, the U.S. Census Bureau has paused plans to change how it asks people about disabilities in its most comprehensive survey

Facing growing backlash, the U.S. Census Bureau on Tuesday paused plans to change how it asks people about disabilities in its most comprehensive survey, a move that would have overhauled how disabilities are defined by the nation’s largest statistical agency.

Disability advocates had argued that the proposed changes would artificially reduce their numbers by more than 40%, limiting the ability of people with disabilities to get vital resources for housing, schools or program benefits. They also argued that they weren't properly consulted on such a major overhaul.

“Good news. Good news. Good news,” said Scott Landes, an associate professor of sociology at Syracuse University, who is visually impaired. “They got the message that we need to engage.”

The bureau plans to meet with advocates in the disability community and determine what changes to the questions are needed to better capture the range of disabilities while keeping the current questions about disability on the 2025 American Community Survey, said Census Bureau Director Robert Santos.

“We will continue our work with stakeholders and the public to better understand data needs on disability and assess which, if any, revisions are needed across the federal statistical system to better address those needs,” Santos said in a blog post.