Student Support Services
While legal definitions vary, people generally
are considered to have a disability if they have:
-
a limitation of a major life activity such as walking, seeing, hearing, arm/hand use, self-care, learning, breathing, functioning without fatigue; or
- a record of the limitation; or
- a reputation as having the limitation
Disabilities fall under three general categories: 1) visible physical that are seen by others, such as mobility disabilities, visual disabilities, hand disabilities, etc. 2) hidden physical or invisible disabilities such as cardiac conditions, diabetes, kidney complications, etc. and 3) learning differences/affective or mood disorders such as depression.
Visible physical disabilities are apparent to others, especially when the disability is in the most advanced stage. For example, students who are totally blind or "low partials" use canes or guide-dogs. Students who are "high partials" might be able to conceal their visual disability up to a point. Since the most extreme stage of the disability is visible, they are still considered to have a visible physical disability. Students whose disabilities are not at the most extreme end may resent explaining nuanced limitations.
Hidden physical or invisible physical disabilities fall into two subgroups: disabilities that may always be hidden and those that surface in specific situations. Diabetics who monitor their blood sugar level have no visible indication of their condition. Deafness is a hidden disability that surfaces upon communication. Asthma does not surface until holders have asthmatic attacks.
Students with learning disabilities process information differently. As with all disabilities, learning differences are not a reflection of intelligence or predictors of future achievement. There is a broad range of learning differences, including dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia (problems with reading, writing, and math, respectively).
