Disability facts and figures

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	There are 11 million disabled people in the UK. That's nearly one in five adults who have serious difficulties getting around, experience long-lasting pain, or who struggle to communicate unaided.
	By the end of our lives, almost half of us will be disabled, especially as we live longer. Most disabled people – around four in five – aren't born with their impairments, but fall seriously ill, or have an accident, or find it harder to get around as they grow older.
	There will be a lot more disabled people in the future , for the simple reason that Britain as a whole is ageing. By 2025, we know there'll be more over-60s than under-25s ; nearly half of the over-60 population experience some form of impairment.
	Disabled people face many challenges in their daily lives. A quarter of disabled people have no formal qualifications , compared with only one in 10 of the general population.
	Half of all disabled people can't find work , and of those who are employed, one in two work in low-paid, short-term and part-time roles. In a typical job, a disabled man's annual earnings are £1,700 less than his non-disabled counterpart. For a disabled woman, the gap is more like £5,000.
	Disabled people are twice as likely to live below the poverty line as everyone else.
	Attitudes towards disabled people are very negative – nearly two thirds of all disabled people report hostility, aggression or name-calling because of their disability. Disabled people are more likely to experience crime than the rest of the country, especially young disabled people, who are 8% more likely to be victims of crime.
	But given the right opportunities and support, disabled people can achieve a huge amount. Although less likely to get to university, disabled people are almost equally likely to get the highest marks.
	Despite seven in every 10 polling stations being difficult to access , one in 20 disabled people would still stand for elected office if offered the right support.
	Team GB’s paralympians exceeded all expectations at London 2012, bringing home a fantastic haul of 120 medals, including 34 golds. The team won gold medals in events as diverse as swimming, horseriding and athletics.