Description

CHAIR indicates whether the respondent or someone in the respondent's family used a wheelchair at the time of the interview. In 1969, 1977, 1979, 1980 and 1990, this question applied to the respondent and the respondent's family members. Beginning in 2008, this question only applied to sample adults. This question was asked of all surveyed adults in 1969, 1977, 1979, 1980 and 2008, but was only asked of those who indicated that they used equipment for moving around in 1990 (MOBILAIDYN) and 2010 and later years (LAWALKCLIMPERQ).

The basic methodology employed to collect the information in CHAIR was similar in all years, but the details differed slightly through time.

In 2010, this item was collected for sample adults who completed the Quality of Life supplement (administered to approximately a quarter of sample adults). In 2011-2017, this item was collected for sample adults who completed the Adult Functioning and Disability supplement (administered to a subset of sample adults). Beginning in 2018, this item was included on the sample adult questionnaire.

CHAIR is an item on the Extended Washington Group Set on Functioning (WG-ES). Additional information about the Washington Group measures is provided below.

The Washington Group on Disability Statistics
In 2019, functioning and disability measures included on the NHIS questionnaire were modified to align with validated, internationally-comparable disability measures developed by the Washington Group on Disability Statistics (WG). For more information about the WG initiative, other WG functioning and disability measures included on the NHIS questionnaire, and guidance for researchers about how to use the WG measures in analyses, please see our user note on the Washington Group Disability Measures.

Comparability

Beginning in 2018, this item was included on the sample adult questionnaire. Please refer to Weights section for information about sample-specific weights. As always, users should employ the prescribed IPUMS NHIS weights.

Questionnaire design changes introduced in 2019 limit comparability with earlier years. The NHIS questionnaire was substantially redesigned in 2019 to introduce a different data collection structure and new content. For more information on changes in terminology, universes, and data collection methods beginning in 2019, please see the user note.

Universe

Availability

• 1969, 1977, 1979-1980, 1990, 2008, 2010-2023

Weights

• 1969, 1979-1980 : PERWEIGHT
• 2008, 2018-2023 : SAMPWEIGHT
• 2010-2017 : SUPP1WT
• 1990 : SUPP2WT