This report summarizes existing data on persons with disabilities in narrative and tabular form. The first section considers definition and measurement of disability including such topics as activity limitation, functional limitation, special population groups and measures, chronic conditions, work disability, federal benefit programs, and state level data. Interpretations and limitations of the data are briefly identified next. The third section presents information on prevalence and characteristics of persons with disabilities. Discussion and statistics are presented for such areas as general measures of disability, disability status of special population groups, and disability and health care status. Work disability is specifically addressed in the fourth section, which provides information on characteristics of persons with a work disability, labor force participation, health insurance coverage, and occupational injuries and illnesses. The section on disability in long-term care facilities considers nursing home residents, mental health facilities and organizations, and facilities for the mentally retarded. The last chapter covers federal benefit programs including special education, Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income, state vocational rehabilitation programs, and disabled veterans. Forty-five detailed tables complete the report. A summary of the Americans with Disabilities Act is appended. (105 reference notes) (DB)