Disability Types

There are many different types of disability. Different disabilities will impact a person's involvement in study or work in different ways. Even people who have the same disability type will not experience their disability in the same way. It is important to remember that every person with a disability is an individual and will have their own specific experiences and disability related needs. The best way to find out what they are is to ask the person with disability themselves!

This section provides an overview of some of the main disability types and links to further information.

What are autism spectrum disorders?
What are chronic medical conditions?
What is hearing impairment?
What is intellectual disability?
What is a learning disability?
What is mental illness?
What is physical disability?
What is vision impairment?

What are autism spectrum disorders?

Autism spectrum disorders are lifelong developmental disabilities. They are characterised by difficulties in:

social interaction
- understanding and use of non-verbal communication
- forming friendships
- social and emotional responsiveness
communication
- language development
- initiating and sustaining conversations
restricted and repetitive interests, activities and behaviours
- unusually specific interests
- repetitive body movements
- non-functional routines

People with an autism spectrum disorder may also have sensory sensitivities, intellectual or learning disabilities. Types of autism spectrum disorders include:

Autistic disorder
- impairments in social interaction and communication as well as restricted and repetitive interests, activities and behaviours
- generally evident prior to three years of age
Asperger's syndrome
- difficulties with social interaction and social communication as well as restricted and repetitive interests, activities and behaviours
- NO significant delay in early language acquisition
- NO significant delay in cognitive abilities
Atypical autism
- marked social impairment but fails to meet full criteria for either autistic disorder or Asperger's syndrome
- may have communication impairments and/or restricted and repetitive interests, activities and behaviours

For more information:

What is a chronic medical condition?

A wide range of medical conditions may impact on a person's work and require reasonable adjustment. Chronic medical conditions are long term – they may last for months or years, or be life-long.

Examples of chronic medical conditions include

Diabetes
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Cystic Fibrosis
Cancer
Crohn's Disease
Asthma
Arthritis
Epilepsy
HIV/AIDS

For more information:

Diabetes Australia
National Association for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Cystic Fibrosis Australia
Cancer Council Australia
Crohn's and Colitis Australia
Asthma Foundations Australia
Arthritis Australia
Epilepsy Australia
Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations
Clark, C., O'Brien, D.B., & Bruyere, S.M. (2001). Workplace accommodations for individuals with arthritis. Employment and Disability Institute: Cornell University.
Dickson, M.B., Bruyere, S.M., & Arent, S. (2001). Employment considerations for people who have diabetes. Employment and Disability Institute: Cornell University.
Fraser, R.F., & Bruyere, S.M. (2001). Working effectively with employees who have epilepsy. Employment and Disability Institute: Cornell University.

What is hearing impairment?

ranges from mild hearing loss to profound deafness
can be caused by a genetic condition, illness, trauma, or natural aging
people with hearing impairment may use hearing aids, lip-reading, Auslan (Australian sign language) or a combination to assist with communication

For more information:

What is intellectual disability?

a disability affecting cognition
people with intellectual disability may have difficulties with learning, communication, daily living skills, information processing, social functioning and problem solving
around 3% of Australians have an intellectual disability
around 1.8% of Australians have an intellectual disability which leads to severe or profound activity limitations
intellectual disabilities are life-long, and must be identified before the age of 18
examples of intellectual disabilities include Down Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, Prader-Willi Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome

For more information

What is a learning disability?

a varied group of conditions which impact on the development and use of listening, spelling, reading, writing, reasoning or mathematical skills
has a significant effect on learning but is NOT an indicator of intelligence
learning disabilities include:
- Dyslexia – difficulty with language processing
- Dyspraxia – difficulty with fine motor skills or coordination
- Dysgraphia – difficulty with writing, spelling or composition
- Visual processing disorder, eg. Scotopic sensitivity
- Auditory processing disorder

Sources for more information

What is mental illness?

a varied group of conditions that significantly affect how a person feels, thinks, behaves, and interacts with other people
close to 1 in 5 Australians will have a mental illness in any year
mental illnesses are diagnosed according to standardised criteria
they are different from temporary mental health problems that may be experienced following stressful life events
some major types of mental illness include:
- anxiety disorders – most common at 9.7% of Australian adults in any year
  - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (3.3%)
  - Generalised Anxiety Disorder (3.1%)
  - Social Phobia (2.7%)
  - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (0.4%)
- substance use disorders – 7.7% of Australian adults in any year
  - Dependence on alcohol or a drug, leading to problems at work or home, and/or causing damage to health
- depression – 5.8% of Australian adults in any year
- psychotic disorders, including Schizophrenia and Bipolar disorder (much less common at 0.4-0.7%)
  - Mental illnesses in which a person has lost some contact with reality

For more information:

What is physical disability?

physical disabilities affect a person's physical functioning, mobility, dexterity or stamina
a person may be born with a physical disability, or acquire it later in life
examples include:
- Cerebral Palsy
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Amputation
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Spina Bifida
- Musculoskeletal injuries (eg back injury)

For more information:

The Cerebral Palsy Alliance
Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association of NSW
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Australia
The Northcott Spina Bifida Group
Somerville, N., Wilson, D.J., & Bruyere, S.M. (2000). Employing and accommodating individuals with spinal cord injuries. Employment and Disability Institute: Cornell University.
Morosky, F.N., Ulin, S., & Bruyere, S.M. (2000). Workplace accommodations for persons with musculoskeletal disorders. Employment and Disability Institute: Cornell University.

What is vision impairment?

refers to some degree of sight loss
a person is legally blind if:
- they cannot see at six metres what someone with normal vision can see at 60 metres, or
- their field of vision is less than 20 degrees in diameter (normal vision 180 degrees)
a person may be born with a vision impairment, or acquire it through an accident, disease or the aging process
examples include:
- Cataracts – clouding of the clear lens in the eye
- Glaucoma – damage to the optic nerve associated with pressure in the eye
- Macular Degeneration – deterioration of central vision
- Retinitis Pigmentosa – genetic confition causing retina to progressively degenerate