Socializing – People with disabilities are also less likely than those without disabilities to socialize with friends, relatives, or neighbors, once again suggesting that there are significant barriers to participation in leisure activities for this population.

Going to Restaurants – People with disabilities are less likely to go to restaurants, even when comparing those at similar income levels, implying that other factors such as lack of accessibility, negative public attitudes, or discomfort may be inhibiting people with disabilities from leaving their homes for meals.

Attendance at Religious Services – Although religious faith appears to be no less important in their lives, people with disabilities re less likely than people without disabilities to attend religious services on a regular basis.

Political Participation – Although people with disabilities have historically been less likely than people without disabilities to vote in Presidential elections, this gap closed considerably in the 2004 election season.

Life Satisfaction and Optimism for the Future – Given the size and persistence of the various gaps between people with and without disabilities, it is not surprising that people with disabilities are on average less satisfied with their lives, that many do not envision their quality of life getting better over the next four years, and that they are less optimistic about their futures than are their non-disabled counterparts.

Assistive Technology – Almost half of all people with disabilities make use of some type of assistive technology specific to their disability. In addition, while people with disabilities rely in large numbers on disability-specific types of assistive technologies, they are about as likely as are people without disabilities to rely on accessible mainstream technology such as cordless telephones, automatic check deposit, and online banking.