Types of Disabilities

Types of Disabilities

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Overview

An "individual with a disability" is defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act as a person who: ? Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a "major life activity," or ? Has a record of such an impairment, or ? Is regarded as having such an impairment.

The following pages identify and describe the more prevalent disabilities in society today. These are developmental disabilities (including cerebral palsy, mental retardation, epilepsy and autism), hearing impairments, learning disabilities, mobility impairments, and visual impairments. The definition and common characteristics of each disability are described in this section, along with tips or "etiquette" on what to do when you meet a person with a specific disability.

Two additional headings in this section describe people with limited English proficiency and older adults. While these are not considered disabilities, they are included in this handbook because they constitute a large number of park visitors who may benefit from simple modifications or additions to interpretive programs and facilities.

A Few Words About Terminology

The term "handicapped" is no longer appropriate. Today, "person with a disability" is more widely used. This phrasing reflects a positive approach by putting people first, not the disability. It is preferable to avoid reference to disability altogether; refer to a person by name, "Mr. Jones," or by a general description that we might use for anyone, "woman in the blue dress." Where reference to a disability is necessary, other more positive examples include "woman who uses a walker," "boy who has epilepsy," "man with down's syndrome." It is important to remember that people with disabilities are individuals, who do not all act, think, or move alike. Therefore, do not use group references such as "the disabled," or "the mentally retarded," etc. Do not use words that are degrading, such as crippled, defect, wheelchairbound, confined to a wheelchair, invalid, victim of, or suffering from.

While generally unintended, terms such as "handicapped" and "disabled person" convey a label of less than equal. Although one's approach to accomplishing tasks may vary, the goal of leading an enjoyable and productive life is universal. "Handicapped" and "disabled" are more appropriately reserved for, respectively, competitive games and non-functioning machinery. Use of these terms to mark parking and building entrances, while not ideal, presently remains in use, however, even this is subject to change.

Many physical barriers are caused by attitudinal barriers resulting from misconceptions and unfamiliarity. The following sections define and describe some of the more common disabilities. The intent is to increase knowledge and understanding of these disabilities so park staff can more effectively communicate with diverse audiences. A danger inherent in this

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Types of Disabilities: Overview approach is that once a person learns more about a particular disability there may be a mistaken tendency to label and categorize individuals by their characteristics, after their disabilities have been observed and identified. When a person is "group-labeled," many expect that his or her actions must conform to the perceived image of that group. People's personalities are not consumed by their disabilities. A disability is only one aspect, and usually not the dominant one, of each individual. It must be emphasized that everyone wants to be treated as a person with unique feelings, thoughts, experiences, and abilities. Remember to treat each park visitor as an individual.

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Developmental Disabilities

The term "developmental disability" is used to describe those conditions that affect, or appear to affect, the mental and/or physical development of individuals. Disabilities included in this category are mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy, and, in some cases, head traumas. In order to be considered a developmental disability, an individual's condition must manifest before the age of 18, continue indefinitely, and represent a significant limitation for the individual. The first criterion states that the disability must originate sometime before 18 years of age. Developmental disabilities are caused by trauma to the developing brain and nervous system. Examples of such trauma include: ? Childhood accidents and trauma (falls, near drownings, burns, and child abuse); ? Genetic disorders (Down's Syndrome, Tay-Sachs Disease); ? Toxic substance and drug poisoning (while pregnant or through ingestion during childhood); ? High-risk conditions in women and infants (these include pregnancy under the age of 15 or

over age 35, infectious diseases during pregnancy, and delivery of very large or very small infants); ? Lead poisoning; and ? Metabolic disorders. In many cases, it is difficult to determine the exact cause of the damage or the time the damage occurred.

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