The Disabilities Fund of The Chicago Community Trust promotes the development of programs, policy and public action that expands the empowerment, equal opportunity, inclusion and participation of diverse persons with disabilities in the Chicago region.
Inform and Act Series
Disability in the Chicago Region
Throughout the Chicago region’s 7 counties, over 800,000 residents – approximately 10% of the population – report having a disability. As our population ages, the numbers will continue to grow.
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about Disability in the Chicago Region
Youth and Disability
In the Chicago region, 41,000 people aged 16-24 report having a disability. 13,000 of these are neither in school nor at work. Less than 30% of youth with disabilities graduate from high school.
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about Youth and Disability
Disability and the Racial Wealth Gap
In the Chicago region, there are over 400,000 people of color with disabilities. Segregation, discrimination, and long-term disinvestment in communities of color have created a growing racial wealth gap.
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about Disability and the Racial Wealth Gap
The Business Case for Disability Employment
For people with disabilities, employment rates are stagnant at 20% compared to 53% for those without disabilities. Despite this gap, many people with disabilities are ready and want to work.
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about The Business Case for Disability Employment
Video Journeys
Dive deeper into the topic of disability inclusion through our video series featuring disability inclusion leaders and advocates of Chicago.
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Explore Further Resources
Building Resilience, Innovation and Commitment: How to Cultivate a Disability Inclusive Workplace
People with disabilities account for almost 10 percent of the Chicago region’s population (that’s 800,000 residents), yet prior to the pandemic, disability employment rates remained at 20 percent.
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about Building Resilience, Innovation and Commitment: How to Cultivate a Disability Inclusive Workplace
4 Reasons You Know More People with Disabilities than You Think
In the Chicago area, more than 800,000 residents report having a disability. That means you could fill Wrigley Field over 19 times with people with disabilities.
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about 4 Reasons You Know More People with Disabilities than You Think
Nothing About Us Without All of Us: Part 1
The Racial Wealth Gap and People with Disabilities
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about Nothing About Us Without All of Us: Part 1
Nothing About Us Without All of Us: Part 2
The Racial Wealth Gap and People with Disabilities
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about Nothing About Us Without All of Us: Part 2