WORCESTER—A new nationwide study ranked Worcester the 10th best city in the United States for people with disabilities, placing the city in elite company for its accessibility, health care access, and economic opportunity.
The report, which Trajector Medical released this week, evaluated 141 major U.S. cities using 14 data-driven metrics across accessibility, affordability, and health care. Worcester earned an overall score of 81.58 out of 100.
Worcester stood out for its strong showing in two key areas:
- Economic opportunity: The city had the sixth highest median earnings for people with disabilities compared to those without — just $1,012 less.
- Health care access: Worcester ranked 15th for the number of beds at Medicare-registered nursing homes per 10,000 people with disabilities, at 653.26.
Trajector Medical is based in Gainesville, FL, and focuses on medical evidence services for people seeking disability benefits. The company said it designed the study to spotlight cities making meaningful progress in supporting residents with disabilities — and to highlight the disparities still faced by millions across the country.
“Nearly one in seven Americans lives with a disability,” the release noted. “However, access to essential services, affordable housing, and employment opportunities varies widely.”
Paige Polakow, president of Trajector Medical, said that the company’s mission is “to empower people with disabilities who face barriers.”
“This research is another way we’ve fulfilled our promise for more than a decade to improve the life trajectory of those who are underserved or at risk,” she said in the release.
The study drew on nearly 2,000 data points from sources including the U.S. Census Bureau, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Zillow.
Worcester’s inclusion in the top 10 reinforces the city’s growing reputation as a place working to prioritize inclusion, remove barriers, and invest in long-term strategies that benefit residents of all abilities.
For the full list of rankings and methodology, visit Trajector Medical’s website.
Coincidentally, the news comes just as the Greater Worcester Community Foundation announced it has received a $1.3 million bequest from the late George Krikorian to create a permanent fund supporting people with physical disabilities in Worcester County.
