Defining and Understanding Different Types of Disabilities (Physical and Cognitive)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024) defined disability as “Any condition of the body or mind (impairment) that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities (activity limitation) and interact with the world around them (participation restrictions)” (para. 1). The various types of disabilities include vision, movement, thinking, remembering, learning, communicating, hearing, and mental health (para. 2).

Disabled World (2024) categorized the different types of disabilities, which includes physical and mental impairments that restrict the ability to carry out daily tasks. Tasks such as talking, reading, pointing, eating, standing, or walking can be challenging or impossible because of mental or physical limitations that impact the ability to function and adjust to the environment. Disabled World classified disabilities into eight main categories: Mobility and physical impairments, spinal-cord disabilities, head injuries, brain and intellectual disabilities, vision disabilities, hearing disabilities, cognitive or learning disabilities, psychological disorders, and invisible disabilities.

Additionally, citing the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024) reported that disabilities have three dimensions:

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, December 18). Disability and health overview. https://www.cdc.gov/disability-and-health/about/index.html

Disabled World. (2024, October 11). Disability: Understanding definitions, categories, and theoretical frameworks. https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/types/