Disabilities

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Basics

• Summary
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Learn More

• Related Issues

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Research

• Statistics and Research
• Clinical Trials
• Journal Articles

Resources

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• Children

Summary

Disabilities make it harder to do normal daily activities. They may limit what you can do physically or mentally, or they can affect your senses. Disability doesn't mean unable, and it isn't a sickness. Most people with disabilities can - and do - work, play, learn, and enjoy full, healthy lives. Mobility aids and assistive devices can make daily tasks easier.

About one in every five people in the United States has a disability. Some people are born with one. Others have them as a result of an illness or injury. Some people develop them as they age. Almost all of us will have a disability at some point in our lives.

Department of Health and Human Services

Start Here

• Disability Overview (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Related Issues

• AgrAbility: Frequently Asked Questions (Department of Agriculture)
• Disability and Health (World Health Organization) Also in Spanish
• Disability and Obesity (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
• Effective Interaction: Communicating with and about People with Disabilities (Office of Disability Employment Policy)
• Grooming, Bathing and Safety Tips (Amputee Coalition of America)
• Individuals with Disabilities (Department of Homeland Security) Also in Spanish
• Special Needs: Planning for Adulthood (Videos) (Nemours Foundation)
• Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions (Transportation Security Administration)

Statistics and Research

• CDC Vital Signs: Adults with Disabilities (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Disabled Persons (National Institutes of Health)
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Health Services for Persons with Disabilities (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Global commitments to disability inclusion in health professions.
• Article: What's wrong with 'seeing the person first'?
• Article: Focus group interview regarding the accessibility of health information for people...
• Disabilities -- see more articles
• Disability evaluation -- see more articles

Find an Expert

• AAAs (Area Agencies on Aging) & Title VI Aging Programs (National Association of Area Agencies on Aging)

Children

• Caring for Siblings of Kids With Special Needs (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
• Helping Children with Disabilities Cope with Disaster and Traumatic Events (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish