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With the 2020 Census rapidly approaching, it is important that people with disabilities and their families are prepared to be counted!

Every 10 years, everyone in the United States is counted through the census. The U.S. Census Bureau has identified people with disabilities as a hard-to-count population, which means they are at a greater risk of being undercounted due to accessibility challenges and wider systemic inequalities.

April 1, 2020 is Census Day. Pledge to be counted and receive important updates from The Arc as Census Day approaches.

TAKE THE PLEDGE

WHY THE 2020 CENSUS MATTERS

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 61 million adults in the United States live with a disability – about 26% of the US population. A fair and accurate census is vital for people with disabilities.

For example, census data is used to calculate how much federal funding the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and our local governments get for Medicaid, housing vouchers, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and education programs.

When there isn’t enough money, services and programs for people with disabilities can be cut. Census information also is used to figure out how many members Massachusetts should have in the U.S. House of Representatives.

WHAT THE ARC IS DOING TO HELP

The Arc is proactively reaching out to our communities about the 2020 census. As trusted community members, The Arc of Massachusetts and our Chapters can directly engage people with disabilities and their families, as well as direct support professionals and provider organizations, to share the importance of an accurate census and encourage participation. We can also play an important role in reassuring people with disabilities and their families about any census concerns, including those who are undocumented or who distrust or fear government employees.

The Arc of Massachusetts joined the Massachusetts Statewide Complete Count Committee, which is raising awareness about the 2020 census and motivating all residents to respond. We also are members of the Differently Abled Subcommittee, which represents disability groups across the Commonwealth.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO GET INVOLVED

Massachusetts Census Resources

• Massachusetts Census Equity Fund
• MassCounts
• Secretary of the Commonwealth

Census Resources for Diverse Populations

• Asian American Advancing Justice
• Color of Change
• NALEO Educational Fund
• Queer the Census
• Why the Census Matters for People With Disabilities: A Guide to the 2020 Census Operations & Challenges

General Census Resources

• 2020 Census Official Page
• Census Bureau and Partnership Specialists
• Census Counts
• Hard to Count 2020
• Kids Count
• Statistics for Schools