Return to the PIE Home PageThe Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission estimates that 84,068 people in Franklin County had at least one disability in 1983. Orthopedic conditions (incl. disorders of bones, joints, muscles, etc.) had by far the largest incidence in Franklin County (34,883 people). The next most prevalent disability types were cardiac and circulatory disabilities (9,886), epilepsy (9,439), blind/visually impaired (8,304) and communicative disorders (8,304). Communicative disorders include the deaf, hard of hearing and the speech impaired. The deaf population is under-represented in this estimate due to survey methodology.
Related data from the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities estimates that between 1.4% and 1.9% of the population in Ohio has a severe functional disability caused by mental retardation or cerebral palsy. When applied locally, this represents between 12,900 and 17,507 residents in Franklin County.
Relatedly, the number of disabled workers in Franklin County receiving Social Security Disability benefits has increased from 10,555 in 1987 to 10,915 in 1989.
Disability Estimates Blind/Visually Impaired 8,304 Communicative Disorders* 7,019 Orthopedic Conditions 34,883 Amputations 1,844 Diabetes** 3,442 Epilepsy 9,439 Cardiac and Circulatory 9,886 Respiratory Disorders 2,182 Digestive System 710 Other Conditions 6,359 Total 84,068
*Communicative Disorders include the deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired. The deaf population is significantly under-represented in this estimate due to survey methodology.
**Certain other health conditions, such as diabetes and epilepsy, often controlled by medication are severely underestimated as well. The Epilepsy foundation of America reports that the statistical incidence of epilepsy is 1% of the general population, 2% of the school age population. Using the population estimate of 943,900 for Franklin County in 1983, approximately 9,439 people had epilepsy. Further, 20% (1,888) had uncontrolled seizures, 30% (2,831) had partially controlled seizures, and 50% (4,270) had good to fully controlled seizures.
Source: Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission, Project Ohioans
Franklin % of Population Number with County Population with Limitations Limitations 921,400 1.4 - 1.9 12,900 - 17,507
Source: Ohio Development Disabilities Prevalence and Needs Survey, Ohio Dept of Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities.
1987 1988 1989
Disabled Workers 10,555 10,655 10,915
Source: U.S. Government Social Security Office
Filename: PS-019