Introduction to Disabilities – Study Notes
1. What Is a Disability?
| Definition |
Key Points |
| Medical Model |
Views disability as a problem located in the individual’s body or mind that needs treatment or cure. |
| Social Model |
Considers disability the result of societal barriers (physical, attitudinal, institutional) that limit participation. |
| Biopsychosocial Model |
Integrates medical and social perspectives; disability arises from the interaction of health conditions, personal factors, and the environment. |
2. Types of Disabilities
| Category |
Examples |
Typical Functional Areas Affected |
| Physical / Mobility |
Cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy, amputation |
Movement, balance, dexterity, stamina |
| Sensory |
Vision loss, blindness, hearing loss, deafness |
Seeing, hearing, spatial orientation |
| Intellectual / Developmental |
Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability |
Learning, reasoning, communication, adaptive skills |
| Psychiatric / Mental Health |
Depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, PTSD |
Mood regulation, perception, behavior, social interaction |
| Chronic / Health‑Related |
Diabetes, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain |
Energy levels, pain management, daily routine |
| Multiple/Complex |
Combination of any of the above (e.g., a person with visual impairment and autism) |
Overlapping functional domains |
3. Core Concepts & Terminology
| Term |
Meaning |
| Accessibility |
Design of products, environments, and services that can be used by all people, regardless of ability. |
| Inclusion |
Full participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of life (education, work, community). |
| Reasonable Accommodation |
Adjustments or supports that enable a person with a disability to perform a job or access services, without causing undue hardship. |
| Universal Design |
Creating spaces and products that are usable by the widest range of people without the need for adaptation. |
| Assistive Technology (AT) |
Devices or software that help individuals perform tasks (e.g., screen readers, wheelchair, communication boards). |
| Person‑First Language |
“Person with a disability” (emphasizes the individual before the condition). |
| Identity‑First Language |
“Disabled person” (used when the individual prefers it; respects disability as part of identity). |
4. Legal & Policy Framework (U.S. focus, but similar principles exist globally)
| Law / Convention |
Main Purpose |
| Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – 1990 |
Prohibits discrimination in employment, public services, public accommodations, and telecommunications. |
| Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) – 1975 (re‑authorized 2004) |
Guarantees free appropriate public education (FAPE) and individualized education programs (IEPs). |
| Rehabilitation Act – Section 504 |
Bars discrimination in programs receiving federal funds; requires reasonable accommodations. |
| UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) – 2006 |
International treaty promoting, protecting, and ensuring full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by persons with disabilities. |
5. Barriers to Inclusion
| Barrier Type |
Examples |
Strategies to Reduce |
| Physical |
Inaccessible buildings, lack of ramps, narrow doorways |
Universal design, ramps, elevators, accessible restrooms |
| Communication |
No sign‑language interpreters, lack of captions, |
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