INTRODUCTION TO DISABILITIES. INCLUDING TYPES AND CAUSES OF DISABILITY

DISABILITY MAINSTREAMING

1. Introduction to Disability Presented by: Truphenah Mbeke 1

2. Introduction According to World Bank, 12% of the global population consists of Persons with Disabilities 186 million of these population comprise of Children One third of all children out of school (75 million) have disabilities Excluding persons with disabilities from workforce causes 35% loss of GDP 3

3. Definitions Impairment: This refers to any abnormality of, partial or complete loss of, or damage to a body part, organ, or system. This leads to the loss or weakening of that part affected. Disability: This refers to any loss or reduction of functional ability (resulting from an impairment) to perform an activity. Or A physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities. Handicap : a circumstance that makes progress or success difficult. Synonyms: impediment, hindrance, obstacle, barrier, obstruction, constraint, and restriction among others. 4

4. Myths and facts about disability

5. Myths and facts cont…

6. Categories of Disabilities Physical and multiple disabilities e.g chronic health impairments Mental disabilities Communication disorders Specific learning disabilities, e.g. dyslexia Autism Visual Impairment Hearing Impairment Deaf-blindness Gifted and Talented Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties 5

7. Physical and Multiple Disabilities This are learners conditions that make it difficult to move or manipulate the physical environment, interact freely and communicate easily Are categorized into those with Orthopedic disabilities- amputees, brittle bone, Muscular Distrophy - Neurological Difficulties- cerebral palsy, epilepsy, hydrocephalus - Health impairments- Leukemia. Sickle cell 7

8. Mental Disabilities Are learners with substantial limitations in present functioning They are characterized by significant sub- averange intellectual functioning existing concurrently with related limitations in adaptive skills for example social skills, self care, communication and functional academics Categorized into- mild, moderate, severe and profound mental disabilities 8

9. Communication Disorders is a condition which either interferes with the smooth flow of ones speech and language or hinders the acquisition and development or such a language its categorized into -speech difficulties– articulation, fluency -Language Difficulties- expressive and receptive Language 9

10. Learners with Specific Learning Difficulties Learners with Specific Learning Difficulties These are learners with learning difficulties in on or more of the following areas- oral or written expression Basic reading Spelling Arithmetic Reading and comprehension 10

11. Autism A serious developmental disorder that impairs the ability to communicate and interact. Autism spectrum disorder impacts the nervous system. The range and severity of symptoms can vary widely. Common symptoms include difficulty with communication, difficulty with social interactions, obsessive interests and repetitive behaviours . 11

12. Visual impairments (blind & low vision) Are learners with difficulties in structure and functioning of the eye Learners with visual impairments may be classified into two categories- - Namely Those who are blind– those who have totally lost sense of vision and cannot tell the difference between darkness and light. Low vision– have a significant visual handicap but also having significant vision that can be used. There visual functioning may be improved through optical and non optical devices. Environmental adaptation 12

13. Hearing Impairment This is inability to hear well or not hearing at all. Classified according to severity- slight, mild, moderate, severe and profound Age of onset- pre-lingual & postlingual - part of hear affected There are two types of hearing impairment- hard of hearing and deaf 13

14. Deaf blind A condition whereby a person has impairments of both vision and hearing Some may be totally bling while others may have useful vision. At the same time can be deaf or hard of hearing May suspect learner is deafblind by the way they respond, turn head when listening, may They have self stimulatory behaviours ,, may play with one object, turn heads towards sound 14

15. Learners who are Gifted and Talented Learners who perform—or have the capability to perform—at higher levels compared to others of the same age, experience, and environment in one or more domains. They require modification(s) to their educational experience(s) to learn and realize their potential. Student with gifts and talents: General or Specific Intellectual Ability   Specific Academic Aptitude Specific Talent Aptitude – for example music, performing arts, visual arts, dance, leadership abilities, creative and productive thinking 15

16. Learners with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties This are persons who deviate from appropriate behaiours for a certain age which significantly interferes with the learners learning and development or the lives of others The behaviours are extreme and inapropriate ,,Chronic and persistent, Unacceptable The learners are unable to build or maintain satisfactory relationships Characteristics include disruptiveness, rude, withdrawn,, Condition cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory , motor or health factors 16

17. Causes of disabilities Disability can occur during pregnancy (pre-natal), delivery (natal) or after birth (post natal) stages. The causes of disability include: Hereditary and genetic disorders Infections Intoxicants Trauma (accidents and child abuse) Metabolic disorders Environmental influences 6

18. Challenges of Persons with Disabilities Mobility – movement to and from the lecture halls is a challenge Physical infrastructure – previously, most buildings were constructed without taking care of the plight of PWDs Funding – due to their special needs, funds are a hindrance to PWDs Attitudinal challenges – Most people in the society have biased attitudes towards PWDs Policy – presence of policies...but lack of strategies to address barriers Lack of knowledge in identifying the best Assistive Technology (AT) solution per individual with disability. 9

19. 10 They don’t need sympathy but empathy Some have psychology of egocentricity, impulsivity, and self centeredness

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