Disability Status of the Individual

Dataset: Family Resources Survey (Adult, Child, Individual)

Field: Disability Status of the Individual

Description

Whether the individual has a disability or not.

The definition of disability used in the FRS publication is consistent with the core definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010. A person is considered to have a disability if they "have a physical or mental impairment that has a 'substantial' and 'long-term' negative effect on their ability to do normal daily activities". Where by 'substantial' means more than minor or trivial, and 'long-term' means 12 months or more. Some individuals classified as disabled and having rights under the Equality Act 2010 are not captured by this definition:

People with a long-standing illness or disability who would experience substantial difficulties without medication or treatment
People who have been diagnosed with cancer, HIV infection or multiple sclerosis but who are not currently experiencing difficulties with their day-to-day activities
People with progressive conditions, where the effect of the impairment does not yet impede their lives
People who were disabled in the past but are no longer limited in their daily lives

Classification

Applicable to: all individuals.

Not a disabled child / adult / person
Disabled child / adult / person

Total number of categories: 2

Quality Statement

The basis of identifying people with a disability has changed over time:

From 2002-03 to 2003-04 a person with a disability was an individual who reported substantial difficulties across eight areas of life
From 2004-05 to 2011-12 a person with a disability was an individual who reported substantial difficulties across nine areas of life
From 2012-13 onwards a person with a disability was an individual who reported any physical or mental health condition(s) or illness(es) that last or are expected to last 12 months or more, and which limit their ability to carry out day-to-day activities a little, or a lot. The FRS disability questions were revised to reflect new harmonised standards

Comparisons over time should be made with caution, as they may be affected by the change in the definition of disability and individuals might have different interpretations of particular health conditions or FRS question wording.

Further information can be found in the FRS Background Note and Methodology here.