DISABILITY is an evolving concept.
Disability results from the barriers that hinder a person’s full participation in society on an equal basis with others. When there are proper ACCOMMODATIONS, there aren’t any disabilities!
Examples of disabilities
- Brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Learning disability
- Memory disorder
- Dyslexia
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Down’s syndrome
- Phobia
- Schizophrenia
- Depression
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Speech impairment
- Hearing impairment
- Deafness
- Vision impairment
- Blindness
- Arthritis
- Chronic pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Mobility issue
- Agility issue
Our understanding of disability is evolving
Disability used to be understood within the medical model, where a disability was only defined by a health diagnosis.
Today, we know that disability is understood through a combination of the severity of a health diagnosis, in addition to an individual’s ability to interact within society.
Disabilities can be
- Mild
- Moderate
- Severe
Onset
- Confirmation of a disability diagnosis
- Birth
- Childhood
- Adolescence
- Adult Life
- Old Age
Disclaimer:
HIRE for TALENT has made every effort to use the most respectful words possible while writing these materials. We realize, however, that the most appropriate terminology may change over time. We developed these materials with the intent to respect the dignity and inherent rights of all individuals.
Funded by the Government of Canada’s Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities