Definitions of Basic Terms (Impairment, Disability and Handicap)
Impairment: a lack/abnormality of an anatomic, physiological or psychological structure or
function
The full inclusion of people with impairments in society can be inhibited by:
1. Attitudinal (societal barriers, such as stigma)
2. Physical barriers (environmental barriers, such as absence of stairs)
3. Policy barriers (systemic barriers)
What is disability?
1. Medical Approach
- Disability means functional limitations due to physical, intellectual or psychic
impairment.
2. social definition
- Disability is a highly varied and complex condition with a range of implications for
social identity and behavior.
Cause of disability
- Genetic Causes: Abnormalities in genes and genetic inheritance
- Environmental: Poverty and malnutrition in pregnant mothers/Toxic
material/accidents
- Unknown Causes
- Inaccessible environments: infrastructure
Some type of disabilities
1. Visual impairment: two sub- classifications
a. Blindness: total or partial inability to see.
b. low vision: moderately impaired vision.
2. Hearing Impairment
a. Hard of Hearing: A hearing impairment, whether permanent of fluctuating.
b. Deaf: use sign language.
3. Specific learning disability: a disorder in understanding or in using language , disorder are:
- Auditory Processing Disorder (APD): Also known as Central Auditory Processing Disorder.
A. Dyscalculia: understand numbers and learn math.
B. Dysgraphia: affects a person‘s handwriting ability.
C. Dyslexia: affects reading and related language-based processing skills. also referred to as a
Language-based Learning Disability.
D. Language Processing Disorder: difficulty in sound groups that form words, sentences and
stories. Only relates to the processing of language.
E. Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities: trouble interpreting nonverbal cues like facial expressions
F. Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor Deficit: affects the understanding of information that a person
sees.
4. Speech and Language Impairments: means a communication disorder, divided into two
groups:
A. Speech Impairments: three basic types of speech impairments:
- Articulation: errors in the production of speech sounds that, disorders include like: Omissions,
Substitutions, Distortions.
- Fluency: difficulties with the rhythm and timing of speech, disorders include like:
a, Stuttering: rapid-fire repetitions of consonant or vowel sounds,
b, Cluttering: excessively fast and jerky speech
–Voice disorder
B. Language Impairments
There are five basic areas of language impairments:
-Phonological disorders: not saying the sounds correctly. Eg: Apraxia
-Morphological disorder: difficulties with morphological inflections (nouns, verbs…)
-Semantic disorders: poor vocabulary development.
-Syntactic deficits: difficulty in acquiring the rules that govern word orders such as SVA.
-Pragmatic disorder: understanding and using language in different social contexts.
5, Autism: neurodevelopment disorder defined by impairments in social and communication
development
6. Emotional and Behavioral Disorders: affect An inability to learn, build, behavior, happiness
Classification of behavioral and emotional disorders
A, Conduct disorder: may seek attention, act out
B, Socialized aggression: join group of peers who are openly disrespectful.
C, Attention problems
D, Anxiety/Withdrawn
E, Psychotic behavior: show bizarre behavior.
F, Motor excess: hyperactive.
Kauffman (1993) conclude that emotion or behavioral disorders fall into two broad
classifications:
1) Externalizing Behavior: also called under controlled disorder
2) Internalizing Behavior: also known as over controlled disorders
Causes of behavioral and emotional disorders
- Biological, Family, Cultural factor, Environmental factors
7. Intellectual Disability: originates before the age of 18.
Levels of support for individuals with intellectual disabilities
A, intermittent: only as needed
B, limited: as needed but sometimes continuing
C, Extensive: usually continuing
D, pervasive: may lifelong
8. Physical disability/Orthopedic Impairment and Health impairment: interferes with the
individual‘s ability to use his or her body.
Classification and Characteristics
A. Mild: able to walk without aids
B. Moderate:- individuals can walk with braces and crutches
C. Severe:- wheel-chair dependent
The physical disability could be broadly classified into two,
I. Neurological system: the brain, spinal cord & nerve related problems.
- Epilepsy:-is disorder that occurs when the brain cells are not working properly.
-Spinal bifida and spinal cord injury
II. Musculoskeletal system: - it includes the muscles and their supporting framework and the
skeleton. Eg: Muscular dystrophy, Arthritis, Amputation
9. Vulnerability: being at risk of being harmed. Everyone can be harmed, so being
-Dimensions of vulnerability:
1. Economic difficulties
2. Social exclusion
3. Lack of social support from social networks
4. Stigmatization
Causes of Vulnerability
- rapid population growth, poverty and hunger, poor health, low levels of education, gender
inequality
Characteristics of Vulnerable People
1. Less physically or mentally capable
2. Fewer material and/or financial resources
3. Less knowledge or experience
4. Restricted by society to grow
