Did you know that disabilities in the United States might be more common than you think? Believe it or not, more than forty million people in the United States have disabilities. That makes up more than twelve percent of the entire population.
Of course, there isn’t just one kind of disability. In fact, there are many types of disabilities that are worth knowing about. When you know more about disabilities, you will be better prepared to interact with people who might need assistance with different aspects of everyday life.
If you’d like to learn more then keep on reading to learn about the many different kinds of disabilities that exist today.
Vision Impairment
Someone who has partial vision or is blind is said to have vision impairment. When you are talking to someone with this kind of disability, it is important that you identify yourself and other people who are with you.
You should also ask the person if they need help and listen for specific instructions. With that said, you should be prepared for your offer to be refused.
If you are guiding someone, let them take you by the arm instead of taking them. As changes in the environment come up, describe them to the impaired person.
If you come across a guide dog, don’t play with it. That dog needs to focus on guiding the person.
People with these kinds of disabilities can use services like Benefitsclaim.com to claim disability benefits.
People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Hearing impairments can be barely noticeable as well as severe. Someone who is hard of hearing might use a variety of tools to help them understand what people are saying. This can include sign language interpreters, hearing aids, writing notes, reading lips, and speech.
If you are communicating with someone who has a hearing disability, look straight at them when you are talking to them. Don’t just look at their interpreter. You should use a normal tone of voice and speak clearly.
If you can’t understand what the person is saying then ask them to repeat themselves. You can also ask them to write on a piece of paper.
People with Mental Health Conditions
A person who has a mental illness has a disability that is affect the brain. This can include personality disorders, anxiety, schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder.
Someone who has a mental disability will have trouble concentrating and they might need medication to help them.
The Importance of Knowing About the Different Types of Disabilities That Exist Today?
Hopefully, after reading the above article, you now have a better idea of what the different types of disabilities that exist today are. As we can see, disabilities can come in a variety of forms and you need to be sensitive to each person’s condition.
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