Document Type
Research Brief
Date
2026
Keywords
Racial wealth gap, disability wealth gap, disability and race, people with disabilities, briefs
Language
Eng
Funder(s)
Metlife Foundation
Disciplines
Disability Studies
Description/Abstract
This report examines the racial wealth gap for people with disabilities in the United States. While the racial wealth gap is well-documented, with the median White household having a net worth 7-10 times higher than the median Black household, the wealth gap experienced by people with disabilities remains less explored. Recent data show that households without disabilities possess, on average, 6 times the net worth of households led by a working-age person with a disability. Wealth, defined as total household assets minus total liabilities, is a comprehensive measure of economic well-being and social stratification, and it has wide implications, including for personal security and long-term health and well-being. For people with disabilities, wealth has an added dimension, as additional costs associated with living with a disability reduce the amount individuals can save over their lifetime
Recommended Citation
Goodman, Nanette; Avila-Acosta, Montserrat; Hyensi, Fitore; and Blanck, Peter, "Disability as a Critical Element in Exploring the Racial Wealth Gap" (2026). The Lender Center for Social Justice. 94.
https://surface.syr.edu/lender/94
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
