According to the World Report on Disability, there are over one billion people with disabilities in the world.
This report highlights how the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is dedicated to removing the barriers that people with disabilities still face. More awareness is needed about challenges these people experience, to encourage inclusivity in their communities.
That’s why we compiled this short guide to the types of disabilities. We cover the impact of these disabilities, the assistive technologies that help, and how support networks make living with a disability easier.
Maybe one of your loved ones, friends, or colleagues has a disability. Perhaps you simply wish to know more about the disabilities people in your community are living with. This guide will explore the different types of disabilities, like physical, sensory, intellectual, and mental health, and the challenges each one brings.
4 Main Types of Disabilities
Disabilities generally fall into four main categories: physical, sensory, intellectual/developmental, and mental/behavioral. Some people may have more than one of these disabilities at the same time.
1. Physical Disabilities
Physical disabilities affect the body’s ability to function, but can affect people in different ways. Physically disabled people may have little to no mobility, or limited mobility and dexterity. The severity of the impairment depends on the injury or illness (if applicable) that caused it.
Paraplegics, quadriplegics, and amputees are clear examples of physically disabled people. But physical disabilities also include impairments like spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, and chronic arthritis. And even this is by no means an exhaustive list. There are many different types of physical disabilities.
People may be born with them, or develop them later due to illness or injury. Regardless of the age of onset or cause, physical disabilities impact daily activities and quality of life. And physically disabled people often feel ‘left out’ at gatherings or events that center around physical activities.
This is probably more keenly felt when physical disability occurs as a result of an accident, illness, or injury. The sudden shift to a less active life can be very traumatic for amputees and catastrophic accident victims.
Mobility Aids, Assistive Technologies, and Support
Restricted mobility makes even the most mundane of tasks a challenge and it can drastically reduce social interaction.
Fortunately, there are many mobility aids, medical devices, and assistive technologies for physical disabilities. Examples are walking sticks and walking frames, wheelchairs (manual and motorized), prosthetic limbs, and accessible or modified vehicles.
Other forms of support include in-home care like the type provided by 365 Health Services, wheelchair ramps (both at home and in public), disabled parking bays, and priority wheelchair access at events.
2. Sensory Disabilities
Sensory disabilities affect one or more of the senses – sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell, and/or spatial awareness.
The most common examples of sensory disabilities include visual impairments, like low vision or blindness, and hearing impairments, like deafness or being hard of hearing. These conditions may be present from birth or infancy, but may also result from illness or injury.
Loss of smell (anosmia) and taste (ageusia) are sensory disabilities that affect how people perceive food and drink. Anosmia and ageusia can be permanent but are more often the temporary result of illness or side effects from medications. Ageusia can also be caused by radiation treatment to the head or neck.
A sensory disability affects a person’s ability to communicate, interact with others, and perceive their surroundings and environment. While sensory disabilities don’t affect all people to the same degree, they nonetheless all impact daily life and social interactions in some way.
For example, someone who is blind would need to read Braille or use auditory tools for reading written text. They may also need a guide dog or use a walking cane to get around.
Assistive Technologies
There are many assistive technologies available to people with vision and hearing disabilities. Braille books and screen readers help the visually impaired. Hearing aids or cochlear implants help people living with hearing disabilities lead full lives.
A disability need not be an obstacle to reaching one’s full potential, as these inspiring stories of famous people who overcame their disabilities will show you. An example is Hellen Keller, who became a prominent author and activist despite going deaf and blind in infancy.
3. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Intellectual and developmental disabilities limit intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior. These disabilities cover a wide range of conditions that typically occur at a young age during the developmental period.
However, acquired brain injuries (damage to the brain that occurs after birth) such as an accident, brain tumor, stroke, or degenerative neurological disease may also cause cognitive impairment. This will affect thinking and problem-solving and can affect memory too.
Intellectual/developmental conditions can affect physical, learning, language, or behavior areas, and cover a wide range of disorders. We will briefly cover three common examples: Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Fragile X Syndrome.
- Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by abnormal cell division resulting in an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21, which causes lifelong intellectual developmental problems. Severity may differ between affected individuals.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is related to brain development and impacts how the person perceives the world around them, and how they communicate or socialize with others. In severe cases, it may include repetitive patterns of behavior.The causes of this disorder are not always known, but in some cases, chromosomal abnormalities, genetics, and environment may play a role.
- Fragile X Syndrome is a genetic condition caused by a defective FMR-1 gene on the X chromosome. It results in developmental delays, intellectual problems, and cognitive impairment. Individuals with Fragile X may also exhibit ASD symptoms.
Intellectual and developmental disabilities typically affect cognitive functioning, which impacts the ability to learn and socially interact. The extent to which these disabilities impact the person living with them can differ widely.
However, this type of disability also has a tremendous impact on the family as a whole. Caring for family members with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities can be challenging. However, it can also be rewarding, especially when you have the right resources and support at your disposal.
Adapted Learning Materials and Support
Resources like special education for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can help them to learn at their own pace. They also benefit from adapted materials, like scissors with springs and shorter-than-usual pencils, and learning aids like Smart Boards with enlarged graphics.
Although some people with Down’s Syndrome or Autism are high-functioning, these disabilities are often misunderstood, further complicating social interaction. But this issue can be largely addressed with awareness campaigns, and the support of family and community.
Support groups are of great benefit to the families of people with these disabilities.
4. Mental Health/Behavioral Disabilities
Mental health/behavioral disabilities are conditions that affect a person’s mood, emotions, thinking, and behavior.
There are many causes of mental health and behavioral disorders. Environmental factors like abuse or neglect, emotionally traumatic events, brain chemical imbalances, and neurological disorders can all lead to the development of mental health and behavioral issues.
Substance abuse and even genetics may also play a role in certain mental health and behavioral disorders.
Examples of mental health and behavioral disabilities include disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, and anxiety disorders.
Some cases of addiction, especially when chronic and characterized by repeated relapses, may also fit into this category. Addiction can also be present in people who have underlying mental health crises.
Mental health disabilities affect emotions, behavior, and daily functioning. Unfortunately, of all the types of disabilities, mental health disabilities are often the most misunderstood. And this makes any type of recovery much more difficult for the people affected.
The role of therapy and medication cannot be ignored, as these help individuals suffering from mental health disabilities to cope with their conditions. However, a good support structure is of paramount importance, as people with mental health disorders often feel alienated by their communities.
Therapies, Treatments, and Support
People with other types of disabilities rarely feel responsible for their conditions. But those with mental health problems often do. Therefore, psychological counseling or psychiatric therapy, and if necessary, medication, alongside a support network, is often the best way forward. Find resources in Pennsylvania by the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS).
Conclusion
There are four main categories of disabilities — physical, sensory, intellectual/developmental, and mental health/behavioral. Therapies, medications, and assistive technologies can help most people living with disabilities lead fulfilling lives.
However, a strong support network is also essential for helping people suffering from any of these disabilities. This is particularly true of mental health and behavioral disabilities. As the least understood and most stigmatized conditions, they benefit from a supportive community, most of all.
We at 365 Health Services wish to encourage everyone to become more informed and supportive of people with disabilities. Learn more about supporting people with disabilities, from The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and The Arc.
365 Health Services is proud to support the PA Disability Pride organization and will be attending the 3rd Annual Pittsburgh Parade on August 24, 2024, and the 12th Annual Philadelphia Parade on September 7, 2024. If you’d like to join our team and show your support for our disabled community, please contact your local 365 office. To learn more about Disability Pride Pennsylvania, please visit their website at PA Disability Pride. Together, we can celebrate and promote inclusivity for all.