A physical disability is a limitation on a person's physical functioning or limitations in executing activities (e.g. walking or eating). The term physical disability is very broad, and a range of disabilities are included. Some examples of physical disabilities include: blindness, deafness, respiratory disorders, epilepsy and some genetic disorders. The severity of impairments and restriction in daily activities vary widely between different types of physical disability. An inclusive and accessible environment may mitigate many restrictions. These can be due to prolonged lack of oxygen or obstruction of the respiratory tract, damage to the brain during birth (due to the early umbilical cord clamping, for example) or the baby being born prematurely. These may also be caused due to genetic disorders or accidents.

Post-natal disabilities are gained after birth. Disabilities can be gained throughout the entire life. They can be due to accidents, injuries, obesity, infection or other illnesses. Research suggests the leading cause of post-natal disabilities to be road traffic injuries.

Types

Physical disability is a broad term and includes many different types of impairments. Some might severely restrict a persons ability to execute daily functions and cause them to rely on the help of a care-taker, others might rely on assistive technology, such as a wheelchair or a hearing aid.

Mobility impairment includes limb loss or impairment, poor manual dexterity, paraplegia and damage to one or multiple organs of the body. Depending on the condition, impairment varies widely in severity.

Sensory impairments include partial or complete loss of one (or more) of the senses. The most common sensory impairments are visual impairments and hearing loss. Deaf and hard of hearing people have a rich culture and benefit from learning sign language for communication purposes. People who are only partially deaf can sometimes make use of hearing aids to improve their hearing ability. While tactile, gustatory and olfactory disabilities do exist, they occur less common.

Some people with disabilities might have multiple disabilities, such as one or more co-occurring cognitive and physical disability. These disabilities are usually pre-natal.

See also

  • Mental disorder – Medical condition

References

Further reading

  • Mirko Grmek. (1983). Les maladies à l'aube de la civilisation occidentale, Paris.