Tuesday, 5 May 2026

A–Z Guide to Disabilities, Mental Health & Medical Conditions

 


(Based on clinical understanding and guidance from the Job Accommodation Network and other professional sources)


A

  • Addison’s Disease
    A rare condition where the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones, causing fatigue, weight loss, and low blood pressure.
  • ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
    A neurodevelopmental condition affecting attention, impulse control, and activity levels.
  • Agoraphobia
    An anxiety disorder involving fear of situations where escape may be difficult.
  • Albinism
    A genetic condition affecting pigmentation of the skin, hair, and eyes.
  • ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
    A progressive neurological disease affecting nerve cells controlling muscles.
  • Alzheimer’s Disease
    A progressive condition affecting memory, thinking, and behavior.
  • Amputation
    Loss of a limb due to injury, illness, or surgery.
  • Anorexia Nervosa
    An eating disorder involving restricted food intake and fear of weight gain.
  • Anxiety Disorders
    A group of conditions involving excessive fear or worry (e.g., GAD, panic disorder).
  • Arthritis
    Joint inflammation causing pain and reduced movement.
  • Asperger Syndrome (now part of Autism Spectrum Disorder)
    A form of autism affecting social interaction and communication.
  • Asthma
    A long-term condition affecting breathing and airways.
  • Ataxia
    A neurological condition affecting balance and coordination.
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
    A developmental condition affecting communication, behavior, and social interaction.

B

  • Back Impairment
    Conditions affecting the spine or muscles, leading to pain or limited mobility.
  • Bipolar Disorder
    A mental health condition involving extreme mood changes (mania and depression).
  • Blindness
    Partial or complete loss of vision.
  • Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
    Preoccupation with perceived flaws in appearance.
  • Brain Injury (TBI)
    Damage to the brain affecting thinking, movement, or emotions.

C

  • Cancer
    Diseases involving abnormal cell growth.
  • Cerebral Palsy
    A condition affecting movement, posture, and coordination.
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
    Long-term fatigue not improved by rest.
  • Chronic Pain
    Pain lasting longer than 3–6 months.
  • Crohn’s Disease
    A chronic inflammatory bowel condition.
  • Cystic Fibrosis
    A genetic condition affecting lungs and digestion.

D

  • Deafness / Hearing Impairment
    Partial or complete inability to hear.
  • Depression (Major Depressive Disorder)
    Persistent low mood and loss of interest.
  • Diabetes
    A condition affecting blood sugar regulation.
  • Dissociative Identity Disorder
    A condition involving two or more identity states.
  • Down Syndrome
    A genetic condition causing developmental differences.
  • Dyslexia
    A learning difficulty affecting reading and language processing.

E

  • Eating Disorders
    Conditions involving unhealthy eating behaviors (e.g., anorexia, bulimia).
  • Epilepsy / Seizure Disorder
    A neurological condition causing repeated seizures.

F

  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
    Conditions caused by alcohol exposure during pregnancy.
  • Fibromyalgia
    Widespread pain with fatigue and cognitive difficulties.

G

  • Gastrointestinal Disorders (GERD, IBS)
    Digestive system conditions causing discomfort and irregular function.
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
    Ongoing, excessive worry about everyday situations.

H

  • Heart Conditions
    Disorders affecting heart structure or function.
  • Huntington’s Disease
    An inherited condition causing progressive brain degeneration.

I

  • Intellectual Disability
    Limitations in intellectual functioning and daily living skills.

L

  • Learning Disability
    Difficulties with specific academic skills (reading, writing, math).
  • Lupus
    An autoimmune disease affecting multiple body systems.

M

  • Mental Health Conditions
    A broad term including anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and more.
  • Migraines
    Severe headaches often with nausea and sensitivity to light.
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
    A condition where the immune system damages nerve coverings.
  • Muscular Dystrophy
    A group of conditions causing muscle weakness over time.

N

  • Narcolepsy
    A sleep disorder causing sudden sleep episodes.
  • Neurodiversity
    The idea that brain differences (e.g., autism, ADHD) are natural variations.

O

  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
    Repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions).
  • Orthopedic Impairment
    Physical disabilities affecting bones, joints, or muscles.

P

  • Panic Disorder
    Repeated unexpected panic attacks.
  • Parkinson’s Disease
    A progressive condition affecting movement and coordination.
  • Personality Disorders
    Long-term patterns affecting thinking, emotions, and behavior.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
    A condition following trauma, causing flashbacks and anxiety.
  • Psychotic Disorders
    Conditions involving loss of contact with reality (e.g., schizophrenia).

R

  • Restless Leg Syndrome
    An uncontrollable urge to move the legs, especially at night.

S

  • Schizophrenia
    A severe mental health condition affecting thinking and perception.
  • Scoliosis
    A sideways curvature of the spine.
  • Sleep Disorders
    Conditions affecting sleep quality and patterns.
  • Spina Bifida
    A birth condition affecting the spine and spinal cord.

T

  • Tourette Syndrome
    A neurological condition causing involuntary tics.

V

  • Vision Impairment
    Reduced vision not correctable with standard glasses or lenses. 

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A–Z Guide to Disabilities, Mental Health & Medical Conditions

  (Based on clinical understanding and guidance from the Job Accommodation Network and other professional sources) A Addison’s Diseas...