Minnesota and disability – a look by the numbers

This Access Press article explores the complexity of diversity in Minnesota, highlighting both race/ethnicity and disability. It begins with a personal example of a Syrian American woman who struggles to fit into standard racial categories, illustrating how current classifications can be limiting.

Most disability data come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), which asks about six functional areas (sensory, physical, mental, self-care, going outside, and employment). However, this approach may undercount people with disabilities because it excludes many life functions covered under the ADA.

The piece emphasizes the importance of safe disclosure, accommodations, and flexibility for people with invisible disabilities, using the author's own vision impairment and chronic illness as an example. Accurate data and recognition are essential for advocacy, representation, and inclusion.