I had several jobs in the past, in which one of them included being an enumerator for the 2010 Census. My responsibility involved going door to door and asking people the accuracy of their address. The reason for the process was so that residents at the address received their Census questionnaire in the mail.

Although some people were friendly to me, many did not like my presence at their door. I even had the police called on me. I was thankful my supervisor stood up for me when that particular incident occurred, and I did not get arrested for merely doing my job.

Looking back, I believe the people who responded negatively did not understand the purpose of the Census. Every ten years, the United States takes a count of every individual in the country through a Constitutionally-mandated process called a Census. The year 2020 marks the next Census and is essential for reasons ranging from the redrawing voting and congressional districts to the distribution of billions of dollars in financial aid based on population shifts.

According to the last Census, nearly one in ten people under the age of 65 living in the state of Alabama have a disability. In the city of Huntsville, one in ten people under the age of 65 also have a disability. The national average shows that nearly one in five people have a disability.

Disabled people are some of the hardest to count populations in the United States. There are several reasons why disabled people are less likely to fill out a Census questionnaire. Many people with disabilities are already part of hard to count minorities, including ethnic and low-income groups. People with disabilities and other mental health issues might distrust the federal government due to fears of losing disability assistance or being criminalized for conditions related to their disorder. By law, the U.S. Census Bureau cannot release personal information to government agencies, including law enforcement.

The U.S. Census Bureau’s goal for the 2020 Census is to count everybody in the United States, even people with disabilities. Filling out a Census questionnaire gives government officials more information in helping those with a disability. For example, school districts know how much aid related to education, and Title 1 federal grants are needed based on the number of special needs students amongst their population. Another example of how the Census helps the disabled is funds for SNAP, and Medicaid programs need to go based on the information from the questionnaire.

Throughout March, residents of the United States will receive a questionnaire in the mail to fill out how many people live at an address and other information such as age, gender, and household income. This year, the Census will also be available online as well as by telephone. Those who do not fill out a form will receive reminders in the mail. After several attempts and no response, a Census Taker will come to the door for an in-person interview.

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires Census questionnaires to be available electronically for those who have a disability. Other ways the Census form will be available for those who are disabled include braille and large print questionnaires for those who are blind or have poor sight. A special telephone hotline that connects hard of hearing people to the U.S. Census Bureau will also be available. The Census questionnaire is available in different languages other than English.

Many who are disabled live in living quarters, including group homes and nursing homes, rather than on their own.  For those cases, an enumerator will make a special visit to count those people using special enumerating procedures for group quarters. These particular methods include in-person interviews and electronic and individual forms for residents of the group quarters.

You should receive a postcard in the mail over the next few weeks with contact information should your household need accommodations for filling out the Census form. For more information about the 2020 Census, click here. Georgetown University wrote an excellent presentation about the Census and those with a disability, which I am linking here.

Are you more informed about the Census and its role in the United States? If so, leave a comment in the section below.