Information About Various Disabilities
Defining a Disability
Federal Law defines a disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of that individual.
"Major life activities" include functions such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working. Persons with disabilities which substantially limit one or more major life activities, those having a record of such impairment, or those regarded as having such an impairment, are protected under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990.
Laws regarding disabilities, and our understanding of disabilities, in general, are ever changing. From time to time the laws and our policies change.
To learn more about various disabilities, please click on any of the following options:
ADD/ADHD
Learning Disabilities
Physical Disabilities
Psychological Disabilities
ADD/ADHD
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are complex disorders that can be manifested in a variety of ways. They are often accompanied by other disorders of a neurodevelopmental or psychological nature.
See More ADD/ADHD Resources.
Learning Disabilities
A Learning Disability (LD) is a general term that refers to a heterogeneous group of disorders manifested by significant difficulties in acquiring and using language, listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning, or in doing math.
A Learning Disability is...
...a diagnosed disorder which affects the manner in which an individual with normal or above average intelligence takes in, retains, or expresses information. It is commonly recognized as a significant deficit in processing auditory and/or visual information in one or more of the following areas: oral expression, listening comprehension, written expressions, basic reading skills, reading comprehension, mathematical calculation, or problem solving. Individuals with learning disabilities also may have difficulty with sustained attention or time management....cross-cultural. It occurs regardless of racial or ethnic origin.
...persistent throughout life but the problems manifested may change depending upon the learning demands, the academic setting, or the ability of the student to develop compensatory strategies. It may manifest itself in only one academic area, such as math or foreign language, or impact an individual's performance across a variety of subject areas and disciplines.
...not visible teachers, parents, and peers often do not understand the challenges faced by individuals with learning disabilities.
A Learning Disability is not...
...a form of mental retardation or an emotional disorder....primarily due to other disabilities, environmental, or cultural influences. It may occur concomitantly with other disabilities, but is not the result of these conditions.
See More Learning Disability Resources.
Physical Disabilities
Physical disorders are typically grouped into five general categories according to the affected organ or body system: neurological, musculoskeletal, visual, auditory, and miscellaneous medical.
See More Physical Disability Resources.
Psychological Disabilities
Psychiatric disorders represent extreme forms of mental and emotional distress that significantly impact a person's ability to cope with the stresses of daily living. It is clear that the primary psychiatric disorders involve both biological and psychological components. Although there has been significant progress in the understanding of the causes and courses of the major disorders in the late decade, we are just beginning to understand the complex interactions of biological and genetic components with environmental stresses that lead to specific disorders.
Depending on the disability, concentration, energy, memory, and the ability to process information may all be impaired, and schoolwork and social relationships may be significantly compromised.
Examples of "emotional or mental illness" stated in the ADA guidelines of 1997 include major depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder (which include panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and post traumatic stress disorder), schizophrenia, and personality disorders.
See More Psychological Disability Resources.