Resources provided by the national Arc organization
Be Counted in the 2020 Census
Make sure you are counted in the 2020 Census!
The 2020 Census has started and participation is very important for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The census counts every individual living in the United States but many people with disabilities are historically left out of the count. Lack of representation in the census can harmfully impact funding, services, representation, and other resources for a community.
- You can respond to the census over the phone, online, or by mailing your questionnaire to the United States Census Bureau.
- Use the button above titled “Click Here to Complete the 2020 Census!” or visit My2020Census.gov. Press the blue button with the text “Start Questionnaire” to complete the census online today!
- You must complete the census within one sitting.
- Filling out the census online is the quickest and easiest way to complete the census.
- If you have your 12 digit ID (which was sent to your household by mail in mid-March), enter this prior to completing the census. If you do not have a Census ID, click the link, “If you do not have a census ID, click here.”
- If you wish to complete the census by phone, call the toll free number 844-330-2020. If you need support for a Telephone Display Device, use the number 844-647-2020, which is also a toll free number.
- Complete the census by September 30, 2020.
If you have questions or need assistance filling out the census, Questionnaire Assistance Centers (QAC’s) are open across the state and staffed with census workers whose job it is to help you! Click the button below titled “Find a Questionnaire Assistance Center Near You” or click this link to find the closest QAC to you.
About the Census:
The United States Census happens every 10 years and is directly tied to key funding streams that support people with disabilities to live in communities instead of institutions. Census data helps guide the distribution of more than $800 billion in federal funding every year. The census determines political representation and affects programs such as housing, voting, education, health care, and public health. Just one person not being counted is a loss of almost 2,800 dollars for their community. Census data is also used to decide the number of members of Congress each state gets. Minnesota is at risk of losing a seat because of a low Census Count. In order to keep our representation, we need you to complete the Census.
The Census and People with Disabilities
The Census Bureau recognizes people with disabilities as a “hard-to-count population”, meaning that they may not be fully represented in the count, and that the programs that are important to them may not receive the funding they deserve. The Arc Minnesota is here to support the intellectual and developmental disability community with completing the Census.
The Census and Confidentiality
Census data is confidential and highly protected by law. Census data is not shared with anyone or any governmental department at any time. Census Workers swear an oath to protect your information and if they break that oath, they may face jail time.
Taking the Census
The Census will be accessible and in over 59 languages, including American Sign Language. You can respond to the Census online, over the phone, or by filling out a questionnaire that is mailed to you. If you have any questions or concerns, text Count (Text “Censo” for Spanish support, Tiri for Somali support, or Suavpeb for Hmong support) to 662020 and a census worker will answer your questions over text.
Explore the resources on this page to learn more!
Video en Español
Video in English
Fiidiyow Afsoomaali ah
video hauv hmoob
Census Resources
Resources in Languages Other Than English
Resources in Spanish, Somali, Hmong, and other languages including Braille and large print.
