If you are wondering what a disability is, it is any condition that stops you or the person affected from doing daily activities in life. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 1.3 billion people in the world experience one or another form of disability. This accounts for 1 in 6 people worldwide being affected by disability.
Disabilities also affect millions of Americans, which impacts how they work and interact. The Centers for Disease Control says that about one in four Americans is living with one or another form of disability that affects their day-to-day activities.
Disabilities can be of various types, such as visible, invisible, permanent, or temporary. Understanding the various types can help you help people with disabilities.
Here are a few of the top disabilities affecting Americans:
1. Mobility Issues
One of the most common types of disability affecting people in the US is related disabilities. Mobility-based disability is where the affected person is unable to move around freely. It affects their ability to walk, climb, or run.
Such disabilities are caused by various conditions, such as arthritis, injuries to the spinal cord, cerebral palsy, or multiple sclerosis. The CDC data show that about 13.7% of American adults are affected by disabilities that affect their movement. Providing accessible infrastructure, like elevators and ramps, will help such people move easily.
2. Cognitive Disability
A cognitive disability is something that affects the affected person’s mental stability. In America, about 10.8% of American adults suffer from cognitive disabilities. Those who suffer from cognitive disability may find it difficult to learn concepts, remember things, or they may suffer from short-term memory and find it difficult to concentrate.
This type of disability usually arises from conditions such as traumatic brain injuries, dementia, intellectual disability, or other conditions, such as Down Syndrome. A cognitive disability makes it difficult for those suffering from it to manage life skills such as cooking, managing finances, and following simple instructions. A supportive environment is important to help those with cognitive disabilities.
3. Hearing Disabilities
A hearing disability is of different types based on the amount of hearing loss. It ranges from a mild difficulty in hearing to profound deafness. The deafness can also be in one ear or in both ears. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, about 15% of American adults experience trouble with hearing to some level.
A hearing disability can occur due to old age, frequent exposure to loud noise, or genetic conditions. While hearing implants may help a few with hearing disabilities, sign languages and written captions have been found to be helpful.
4. Vision Impairments
A loss of vision or vision-related disabilities is one where those affected find it very difficult to perform their day-to-day activities. A vision disability may be either partial or complete. The CDC report says that about 4.6% of American adults have one or the other form of vision impairment.
The main causes of vision impairment are cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and aging. This creates challenges for them to learn, work, or even travel on their own. With technologies like screen readers, Braille, and audio systems, we can provide them the necessary support.
5. Mental Disorders
In the US, about 1 in 5 adults suffers from a mental health condition. Even though we may not recognize it as a disability, these conditions can severely impact the daily lives of those suffering from them. Mental disabilities can occur due to various conditions like PTSD, depression, anxiety, etc. While not all cases qualify as a disability, severe cases affecting the individuals and those surrounding them will be considered a disability.
Conclusion
Apart from those mentioned above, there are also various other disabilities that may not be visible, such as lupus, Crohn’s disease, etc., that affect those suffering from them. By understanding the various types of disabilities, we can take steps to help those suffering from them and make them feel included in society.
