Disabled people in rural communities face many challenges. But the data used to understand their lives are often missing or not correct. This report explains what is wrong and how to fix it. It also shares ideas from people already doing this work in their communities.

Why This Matters

Many rural areas have high numbers of disabled people. But these areas are often left out of data and research.

When they don’t have good data, it’s hard for leaders to plan helpful programs. Communities may not get the money or services they need. And programs may not work well for the people they’re meant to help.

Better data are needed to improve services and support systems for disabled people in rural areas. To do that, we should:

• use better definitions of “rural” and “disability”
• make it easier for people to collect and use data
• include disabled people in rural areas in every step of the work

This report shows how leaders, funders, and community members can support disabled people and strengthen rural communities.

Key Takeaways

The data leave people out. 
Many surveys and government agencies define “disability” and “rural” in ways that don’t match real life. For example, they may not count people who have trouble getting around or using the internet. Some people don’t identify themselves as “disabled.” This means many people are left out of the data. And when data are wrong, policies don’t help the people who need it most.

• What can we do? Use definitions and questions that reflect people’s experiences.

The data are hard to use.
Even when data exist, they’re often old, private, or confusing. Local groups don’t always have the tools or staff to find and use the data. This makes it harder for them to ask for funding or explain what their communities need.

• What can we do? Make data easier to find and understand. Share them openly with the people who need them.

Rural communities need more support.
Local groups often work hard to collect stories and data. But they need help to do it well. They need money, staff, better tools, and technical support. Most of all, they need better ways of including disabled people from the start.

• What can we do? Give rural communities the support they need to collect, understand, and use data for their goals.

How We Did It

In 2024, the Urban Institute and the University of Montana’s Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities began exploring data on disability in rural areas.

We held two listening sessions with advocates, service providers, and staff from federal agencies. They shared how they find and use data—and what kinds of data are still missing.

We then hosted a public online event called Elevating Rural Disability Data for Policy Impact. One panel talked about gaps in research and data. Another panel talked about how people use data to make change for disabled people in rural communities.

This report shares what we learned.