By: Jisara W
Did you know that nearly 1 in 4 people globally have a close friend or family member living with a disability? While some are visible conditions like limb loss and others are invisible like autism, it is undeniable that disabilities have touched countless lives in profound ways. Despite this, misconceptions and lack of awareness often create barriers for inclusion. Therefore, this article aims to explore some of the most common disabilities people encounter to foster awareness and promote a more inclusive and supporting community.
Sensory Disabilities
Sensory disabilities affect one or more of the body’s senses: vision, hearing, touch, taste, smell. The severity of these disabilities ranges from partial loss to complete impairment. Approximately 253 million people are affected by some form of blindness and visual impairment, representing 3.2% of the world’s population while 466 million people have a disabling deafness and hearing loss, representing 6% of the world’s population. While the percentage is relatively low, 466 million people is the population of the United States, Canada, and Mexico combined. Sensory disabilities often go unnoticed by those who are unaffected, but for individuals living with these conditions, the challenges are deeply felt in daily life especially when navigating through unfamiliar environments as they cannot rely on their senses like many of us do.
Cognitive Disabilities
Cognitive disabilities often arise from genetic mutations or brain injuries. For example, conditions like Down syndrome are caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. In most cases, any chromosomal abnormalities would cause one to lose their lives but due to some unknown reasons, those with an extra copy of chromosome 21 will manage to survive. Brain injuries are rare, but totally possible when accidents happen. Usually, those who had severed their brain are unable to live the life they previously had as those damages are often irreversible.
Physical Disabilities
War, natural disasters, and accidents are significant causes of physical disabilities. Physical disabilities affect a person’s ability to move, coordinate actions, or perform physical tasks. These disabilities can range from partial mobility impairments to complete loss of function in one or more limbs. Today, 75 million people require a wheelchair daily, while countless others rely on assistive devices like crutches, prosthetics, or braces.
In the end, disabilities, whether visible or invisible, impact millions of lives, yet their stories often go unheard. By educating ourselves and fostering empathy, we can break down the barriers of misunderstanding and create a world where everyone feels valued, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive.