Disability in North Carolina

Spatial Distributions and Access to Care

Abstract

Examination of the spatial patterns of disability rates by North Carolina county reveals regional patterns with eastern and mountain counties having higher levels of disabilities. Income and ethnic measures show the most frequent statistically significant associations with disability rates. Case studies of three counties – Mecklenburg, Chatham, and Halifax – show that residents in the counties with the greatest need for disability services have the poorest geographic access to them. These results have implications for those who make policies concerning the disabled. The paper demonstrates the benefits of collaboration between university students and a North Carolina state agency.