🧠 Key Characteristics of Disabilities
⏳ 1. Duration
Disabilities can be:
- Permanent (lifelong conditions)
- Fluctuating (change over time)
👉 Some conditions stay the same, others get better or worse over time.
👁️ 2. Visible or Invisible Disabilities
- Visible disabilities: e.g. wheelchair use
- Invisible disabilities: e.g. epilepsy, chronic pain
👉 Not all disabilities can be seen, but they are still real.
🧠 3. Different Support Needs
People may need:
- Full-time support
- Occasional support
- No daily support (independent living)
👉 Support depends on the person, not just the condition.
🧑🦽 4. Assistive Devices
People may use:
- Wheelchairs
- Walking frames
- Hearing aids
- Prosthetics
- Communication devices
👉 These tools support independence and daily life.
🧠 What is a Disability?
A disability can affect:
- Movement
- Learning
- Thinking
- Communication
- The senses
🧩 Types of Disabilities
- Physical disabilities
- Learning disabilities
- Sensory disabilities
- Mental health conditions
- Neurological conditions
🧍 Physical Disabilities – Overview
Physical disabilities affect:
- Mobility (movement)
- Dexterity (hand control)
- Stamina (energy levels)
They may be caused by:
- Birth conditions
- Illness
- Injury or trauma
👉 Every person is different.
🚶 Common Physical Disabilities
🧠 Mobility-Related Conditions
Examples:
- Cerebral palsy
- Muscular dystrophy
- Difficulty walking, standing, or climbing stairs
🧠 Spinal Cord Injuries
- Damage to spinal cord
- Can cause partial or full paralysis
- May affect movement and sensation
🧠 Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
Caused by:
- Stroke
- Accident
- Head injury
Can affect:
- Movement
- Coordination
- Thinking skills
🦴 Arthritis & Joint Conditions
- Over 100 types of joint disorders
- Cause pain, stiffness, and swelling
- Reduce movement and flexibility
🧠 Coordination Conditions
Example:
- Dyspraxia (developmental coordination differences)
Affects:
- Balance
- Motor planning
- Coordination
👁️ Sensory Disabilities
- Blindness or partial sight loss
- Deafness or hearing loss
👉 Can affect independence and mobility
💤 Chronic Pain & Fatigue
- Long-term pain or tiredness
- Often invisible
- Can limit daily activities
🛠️ Care and Support Needs
🦽 Mobility Aids
People may use:
- Wheelchairs
- Walking frames
- Canes
- Crutches
- Special footwear
- Prosthetics
🏠 Environmental Adjustments
Support at home or in public places may include:
- Ramps
- Lifts
- Wider doorways
- Grab rails
- Accessible bathrooms
- Lowered surfaces
🧑🤝🧑 Personal Care Support
Help may include:
- Washing and bathing
- Dressing
- Eating
- Moving safely
🧠 Therapy Support
- Physiotherapy (movement and strength)
- Occupational therapy (daily living skills)
💻 Assistive Technology
Examples:
- Communication devices
- Voice-to-text systems
- Adaptive keyboards
- Smart home controls
🧾 EASY READ SUMMARY
🧍 What is a disability?
A disability can affect:
- Movement
- Learning
- Thinking
- Senses
- Communication
🧩 Types include:
- Physical disabilities
- Learning disabilities
- Sensory disabilities
- Mental health conditions
- Neurological conditions
💡 Important Facts
✔ Everyone is different
✔ Some disabilities are visible, some are hidden
✔ Support helps people live better lives
🌟 FINAL KEY MESSAGE
Disabilities are not the same for everyone.
👉 Each person is different
👉 Each person has strengths
👉 Each person may need different support
With the right support:
- People can learn
- People can work
- People can live full and meaningful lives
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