In this section: Introduction Disability definitions and workplace adjustments Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Autism spectrum disorders Blindness or vision impairment Deafness or hearing impairment Intellectual disability Learning disability Mental illness Physical disability Speech impairment Other disorders and illnesses

Introduction

This section will cover:

• brief descriptions of the most common disabilities
• some common myths associated with particular disabilities
• some suggested ways of interacting positively with people with disabilities
• some approaches to making appropriate workplace adjustments.

Disability Definitions And Workplace Adjustments

• An Important Note About Definitions And Descriptions
• Disability, Illness And The Workplace

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

• What Is An Acquired Brain Injury?
• Common Difficulties Following An Acquired Brain Injury
• Myths And Realities Of Acquired Brain Injury (Abi)
• Positive Interactions And Workplace Adjustments
• Techniques For Supporting People With Memory Deficits
• Techniques For Making Adjustments Related To Lack Of Initiative
• Techniques For Managing Distractibility
• Techniques For Supporting Those Who Experience Difficulties Learning New Tasks
• Techniques Related To Language Deficits

Autism Spectrum Disorders

• What Are Autism Spectrum Disorders?
• Myths And Realities Of Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Positive Interactions
• Workplace Adjustments

Blindness Or Vision Impairment

• What Is Blindness Or Vision Impairment?
• Myths And Realities Of Blindness/Vision Impairment
• Positive Interaction
• When Communicating With A Person Who Is Blind Or Vision Impaired:
• When Offering Assistance:
• When Approaching Stairs:
• When Guiding A Person To A Chair:
• When Guiding A Person To A Car:
• Interacting With People Who Use A Trained Dog
• Workplace Adjustments
• At A Job Interview
• In The Workplace
• Access To Information
• Further Information:

Deafness or Hearing Impairment

• What Is Deafness Or Hearing Impairment?
• Level Of Hearing Loss
• Type Of Deafness
• Age At Onset Of Loss Their Hearing
• Who Are The Australian Deaf Community?
• Communication Methods Used By Deaf People
• Auslan
• Oral Communication/Lip-Reading
• Signed English
• Myths And Realities Of Deafness And Hearing Impairment
• Positive Interactions And Workplace Adjustments
• Noise Levels
• Visual Considerations
• Seating Arrangements
• Get Their Attention
• Be Flexible
• Assistive Devices
• Working With An Interpreter
• Role Of The Interpreter
• Some Best Practice Techniques
• Booking An Interpreter
• Further Information
• References

Intellectual Disability

• What Is An Intellectual Disability?
• What Causes Intellectual Disability?
• Myths And Realities Of Intellectual Disability
• Positive Interactions And Workplace Adjustments
• At An Interview
• On The Job

Learning Disability

• What Is A Learning Disability
• Characteristics Of Learning Disability
• Myths And Realities Of Learning Disability
• Positive Interactions And Workplace Adjustments
• Assistive Technology
• Learning Disability Specific Programs

Mental Illness

• What Is A Mental Illness?
• Who Suffers From A Mental Illness?
• Common Forms Of Mental Illness
• Anxiety Disorders
• Mood Disorders
• Psychotic Disorders
• Schizophrenia
• Personality And Disruptive Disorders
• Dissociative Disorder
• Eating Disorders
• Causes Of Mental Illness
• Environmental Factors
• Hereditary Factors
• Myths And Realities Of A Mental Illness/Psychiatric Disability
• Positive Interactions
• Disclosure
• Health And Safety Issues
• Handling Confrontation Positively
• Workplace Adjustments
• Some Examples Of Workplace Adjustments

Physical Disability

• What Is A Physical Disability?
• Arthritis
• Cerebral Palsy
• Motor Neurone Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis (Ms)
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Spina Bifida
• People Of Short Stature
• Myths And Realities Of Physical Disabilities
• Positive Interactions
• People Using Wheelchairs
• Pushing A Wheelchair
• Lifting And Assisting In Wheelchair Occupant Transfer
• Workplace Adjustments
• Physical Access
• Other Possible Adjustments

Speech Impairment

• What Is Speech Impairment
• Myths And Realities Of Speech Impairment
• Positive Interactions
• Workplace Adjustments

Other Disorders And Illnesses

• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD)
• Epilepsy And Related Disorders
• HIV/AIDS
• Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)