What is a Disability?

What is a Disability?

Disability-

An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment ( National Network , 2022).

A variety of definitions exist, though I generally refer to the ADA's definition.

According to the CDC as of September 16, 2020:

• 61 million American adults live with a disability (Note: 329.5 Million People live in the United States) (2020).

• This means that roughly 26% of US adults (Over 1 in 4) (2020).

• People with disabilities are the largest protected class in the United States (2020).

• This is a protected class that can be joined by anyone at anytime, and most people will join.

• This class consists of every race, gender, age, and occupation.

• This group is far more prevalent than many people even realize.

• Additional CDC statistics regarding disabilities in America can be found here on the CDC's Disability and Health Promotion webpage.

Disabilities are broadly categorized into two groups: those that are visible, and those that are invisible.

Visible (Seen) Disabilities: Cerebral Palsy , Multiple Sclerosis, Down Syndrome , and countless others.

Invisible (Unseen) Disabilities: ADHD, Dyslexia, PTSD, and others.

Research and speaking with coordinators revealed the prevalence of "invisible" over "visible" disabilities in the general population.

Disability Diversity

Just as standard diversity involves a variety of people from differing cultures, beliefs, and backgrounds, so does the disabled community. Furthermore, it entails a necessary respect and appreciation for those with differences in both culture and individual challenges (Disabled World, 2021) .

Disabilities by Type (Disabled World, 2021) .

• Physical

• Spinal Chord

• Head Injuries

• Vision

• Hearing

• Cognitive/Learning

• Psychological

• Invisible

• Others

Physical Accommodations are well known and widespread throughout most college campuses, Including ESU.

This can include:

• Hand Rails

• Ramps

• Stair Lifts

• Elevators

• Handlebars

• Guiderails

• Other types

Legal Protections:

Many aspects of physical accommodation are covered under various legislative actions including:

1975- I.D.E.A.: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law that makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children (US Department of Justice, 2020).

1990- Americans with Disabilities Act: Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act: Civil rights legislation intended to prevent discrimination based on disability in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public (US Department of Justice, 2020).

More specific information on these, and various other types of disability rights laws can be found above on the ADA's site.

Conclusion: The vast majority of public places (Including colleges) are physically accessible by law. This however, does not completely address all aspects of inclusion, in my opinion.