Understanding Disabilities
Millions of Americans have a form of disability (embedded link http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/disability.html ) or are becoming disabled every year. It is important to understand disabilities and how they impact lives. For individuals who have a disability, access to information you need is essential for living at your fullest potential. For individuals who are not disabled it is significant to learn about disabled lifestyles. The more education and knowledge you have will enrich your interactions (embedded link http://www.uiaccess.com/accessucd/interact.html ) and relationships with those who are. There are numerous types of disabilities so to discuss specifics there are sight, hearing, mobility, and cognition impairments.
- Visual Impairments- An individual can have sight challenges such as color blindness, low/partial vision, or complete blindness. If an eye condition cannot be corrected with proper eye wear and requires special assistance then it is a visual impairment.
When learning about visual impairments there are several questions one might ask to gather a good awareness. Questions about causes, prevention, adapting, and coping are useful to answer. Vision Impairment and Blindness (embedded link http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/visionimpairmentandblindness.html ) is a MedlinePlus page that acts as a resource for finding this information. It provides a basic overview from the anatomy/physiology of the eye and vision loss, to specific conditions and issues that you or a loved one might be concerned about.
People experiencing vision loss frequently have personal questions and concerns that arise. Curiosity about everyday living and specific ways in which life will change is a normal occurrence. Ramona Walhof’s article, New Approaches To Consider: Suggestions For Individuals With Recent Vision Loss (embedded link http://www.nfb.org/Images/nfb/documents/pdf/Article_NewApproaches_LBN41P.pdf ) presented by The NFB, addresses and encourages these areas. The scenarios she describes in detail are helpful for the adapting process.
For senior citizens, losing vision they have always known can be very difficult. The American Foundation for the Blind has some directive information on its website for seniors Reacting to vision loss (embedded link http://www.afb.org/seniorsite.asp?SectionID=63&TopicID=289&DocumentID=3204 ) and Coping with Vision Loss ( embedded link http://www.afb.org/seniorsite.asp?SectionID=63&TopicID=289&DocumentID=3205 ).
- Hearing Impairments- If an individual experiences loss or deafness in either one or both of their ears, then they have a hearing impairment. Issues with hearing impairments can be mild or severe require a range of treatment.
Not having the ability to hear, or losing the ability, is a life altering state often strenuous for many. Having solid knowledge of hearing and its deterioration helps transition forward to managing and coping with it. A nice start is to thoroughly comprehend the ear and how it works. MedlinePlus’ page Hearing Disorders and Deafness (embedded link http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/hearingdisordersanddeafness.html ) offers information on the anatomy/physiology of the ear and what causes hearing loss. Our ears are so intricate creating a lot of room for possible damage to occur. Different Types of Hearing Loss, (embedded link http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/hearingloss/HL_types.html ) an article of eHealthMD, elaborates on these possibilities. Five main types of hearing disorders and what causes them is discussed.
Children who have hearing impairments should be carefully attended too. While they are young, it is detrimental that children have the resources they need to develop properly. For information regarding children experiencing Deafness and Hearing Loss (embedded link http://www.nichcy.org/InformationResources/Documents/NICHCY%20PUBS/fs3.pdf ), the NICHCY has made an article available to the public.
Adults encountering hearing loss have several concerns during such a transitional period. Hearing Loss and Older Adults (embedded link http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/older.asp ) is a page created by the NIDCD. This page has a survey available in order for adults to check for hearing loss. The survey is accompanied by common questions and answers that help people cope.
- Mobility Impairments- Mobility impairments exist if a person does not have enough strength, speed, or endurance to properly use their limbs for mobility. An individual with a mobility impairment cannot move or transport their self without equipment or assistance from another person.
Mobility impairments vary in type and degree caused by different conditions. MedlinePlus has information on Movement Disorders (embedded link http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/movementdisorders.html ). Symptoms, diagnosis, conditions, treatment, and management are some of the informative areas.
The Nobody Left Behind (embedded link http://www2.ku.edu/~rrtcpbs/resources/#em-planning ) website has disaster preparedness resources for individuals with mobility impairments. There are resources for issues such as emergency management, response, and disaster relief.
**NOTE: This is an incomplete section. It has been difficult to find decent material on the subject matter. I am still looking.
- Cognitive Impairments- Cognition controls everything from creating and formulating to reasoning and remembering. Cognitive impairments make it difficult and sometimes impossible for people carry out these mental processes. Some impairments are present at birth but they are often the result of an accident or illness.
A nice introduction to Cognitive Disabilities (embedded link http://webaim.org/articles/cognitive/ ) is given by WebAIM where you can find a more detailed description about impairments and what they affect. Being that the brain is the most complex part of the body, it can be affected in infinite ways. MedlinePlus has an abundance of information regarding problems and disorders affecting the Brain and Nerves (embedded link http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/brainandnerves.html#topics ). There you will find an A-Z index on the different brain disorders and their effects.
Brain dysfunction after an illness or accident can be extremely traumatizing. For parents of children who have experienced TBI (embedded link http://www.brainline.org/landing_pages/Basics.html ), traumatic brain injury, brainline has a supportive article Cognitive Rehabilitation for Children and Youth (embedded link http://www.brainline.org/content/2009/09/cognitive-rehabilitation-for-children-and-youth_page2.html ). It is an article that helps you learn how to guide your child through such a delicate experience.
Adults with cognitive impairments need care and assistance as well. Caring for Adults With Cognitive and Memory Impairments (embedded link http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=392 ), by the FCA, gives ten steps to help caregivers work with adults. Also, looking after others can be a tiring process that some struggle with so the article touches on how to avoid burnout as a caregiver.
Along with the additional challenges, people who have disabilities face all of the same mental health risks as those who are not disabled. For more general information, our glossary (embedded link http://georgiadisaster.info/glossary.html ) has an A-Z index regarding mental health issues.
Web Links
The American Red Cross has a safety guide for disasters and people with disabilities. Their safety guide covers general information on several important areas.
Americans with Disabilities Act homepage has numerous important resources for people with disabilities. Concerns regarding legal rights, enforcement, accessibility and more can be answered here.
A list of disability related organizations can be found here.