Plain-language guides to disability types — how they present, what assistive technology people use, and language the community prefers.
Showing 20 results
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity that interfere with functioning and development. ADHD affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds, and is significantly underdiagnosed in women, girls, and adults.
Autism (formally Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by differences in social communication, sensory processing, and behaviour patterns. The autistic community broadly prefers identity-first language. The "spectrum" is wide and complex — not a simple scale from mild to severe.
Blindness refers to a complete or near-complete absence of functional vision. It encompasses a wide range, from having no light perception at all to having only light/dark awareness. Blindness can be present from birth or acquired through injury, disease, or age-related conditions.
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of neurological conditions that affect movement, muscle tone, and coordination. It results from injury or abnormal development in the brain, most often before or shortly after birth. CP is the most common motor disability in childhood, and it presents very differently from person to person.
Deafness refers to a significant or total loss of hearing. Many Deaf people — particularly those who use sign language and identify with Deaf culture — understand deafness not as a disability but as a cultural and linguistic identity. The capital-D "Deaf" refers to cultural identity, while lowercase "deaf" refers to audiological status.
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that affects reading, spelling, and the accurate and fluent recognition of written words. It is neurological in origin and not related to intelligence, motivation, or vision problems. Dyslexia is among the most common learning disabilities worldwide.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) — known as motor neurone disease (MND) outside the US — is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that attacks the motor neurones controlling voluntary muscles. It leads to progressive muscle weakness and paralysis while typically leaving cognition intact, making AT-powered communication and control essential.
Anxiety disorders and depression are among the most common health conditions worldwide and are recognised as disabilities under the ADA and equivalent legislation in many countries. They are invisible disabilities that can significantly limit daily functioning, employment, and social participation when severe.
Aphasia is an acquired language disorder that affects a person's ability to speak, understand speech, read, and write. It is most commonly caused by stroke or traumatic brain injury and affects language processing — not intelligence. People with aphasia know what they want to say; accessing the words is the challenge.
Chronic pain is pain that persists for more than three months, beyond the expected period of healing. It is a complex, biopsychosocial condition that includes conditions such as fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and chronic back pain. It is one of the most common causes of disability worldwide and is frequently invisible.
DeafBlindness is the combination of both hearing and vision loss. It is a distinct disability that is more than the sum of its parts — it limits access to the two primary senses through which most people receive information, and requires highly specialised communication and assistive technology approaches.
Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition caused by the presence of a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. It is associated with intellectual disability, characteristic physical features, and a range of associated health conditions. People with Down syndrome have full, meaningful lives and are active members of their communities.
Being hard of hearing describes a mild to moderate hearing loss that impacts communication but leaves some functional hearing intact. People who are hard of hearing may use hearing aids, assistive listening devices, captioning, and a mix of listening and visual strategies.
Intellectual disability (ID) is characterised by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour, originating before age 18. Person-first language ("person with an intellectual disability") is the standard in most disability services and advocacy contexts. ID exists on a spectrum from mild to profound.
Long COVID (also called Post-COVID Condition or PCC) refers to a range of symptoms that continue for weeks or months after an initial COVID-19 infection. It is a new, rapidly growing disabling condition affecting millions worldwide, characterised by fatigue, cognitive difficulties ("brain fog"), and a wide range of other symptoms.
Low vision is a significant visual impairment that cannot be fully corrected with glasses, contact lenses, medication, or surgery. People with low vision have useful remaining vision, but it is not sufficient for ordinary daily tasks without adaptive strategies or technology.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological condition in which the immune system attacks the myelin sheath protecting nerve fibres in the brain and spinal cord. MS is highly variable and unpredictable — symptoms, progression, and functional impact differ enormously between individuals and over time.
Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a group of genetic diseases that cause progressive muscle weakness and degeneration. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common and severe form, primarily affecting boys. Other types include Becker MD, limb-girdle MD, myotonic dystrophy, and Facioscapulohumeral MD (FSHD).
A spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord that results in a loss of function — such as mobility or sensation — below the level of the injury. SCIs are most commonly caused by trauma such as vehicle accidents, falls, or sports injuries, though they can also result from disease.
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when an external force causes brain dysfunction. TBI can range from mild (concussion) to severe (extended loss of consciousness and lasting functional impairment). Effects are highly individual and can affect cognition, emotion, communication, physical function, and sensory processing.