General Facts
It is estimated that approximately 3% of the general population has mental retardation, a developmental disability.

Mental retardation is 10 times more common than cerebral palsy, 28 times more prevalent that neural tube deficits and affects 25 times more people as blindness.

1 out of 10 American families is directly affected by developmental disabilities, cutting across the lines of racial, ethical, educational, social and economic backgrounds.

A developmental disability, unlike mental illness, is a life-long condition that cannot be cured.

Although developmental disabilities and mental illness are completely different conditions, experts estimate that mental illness is 3 to 4 times more common in people with developmental disabilities than in the general public.

Only 30% of people with severe disabilities are employed, compared to almost 85% of those without a disability. Additionally, those with disabilities make 25% less than typical workers.