Types of Disabilities: A Clear Guide

Takeaways

• Disabilities can affect movement, senses, communication, or thinking and learning.
• Some types of disabilities are visible, but many are invisible — meaning you can’t always tell by looking.
• People also describe disabilities by how long they last, such as temporary or permanent.

More than one in four adults in the United States have a disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Disability is not one single experience. Some people are born with a disability. Others develop one later in life because of an illness, injury, or chronic condition. An estimated 10 percent of people with disabilities have “invisible” impairments such as chronic pain or certain neurological conditions that may not be readily apparent to others.

What Is a Disability?

A disability is a condition that can make it more challenging to do certain activities or participate fully in daily life. Different types of disabilities can affect:

• Movement and dexterity (gross and fine motor skills)
• Seeing and hearing
• Speech, language, and communication
• Thinking, learning memory, and decision-making

Because disabilities affect different areas of functioning, two people with the same diagnosis, or two people in the same disability category, can have vastly different support needs.

Physical Disabilities (Mobility and Dexterity)

A physical disability is an impairment that affects the body and may limit mobility, physical capacity, stamina, or dexterity.

Physical disabilities can be visible, such as a spinal cord injury that leads to wheelchair use. These types of disabilities can also be invisible. For instance, chronic pain or fatigue may significantly limit a person’s ability to function.

Hearing Impairments and Deafness

Hearing loss can range from mild difficulty hearing to profound deafness. More than 11 million Americans consider themselves Deaf or seriously hard of hearing. Hearing impairments may be present at birth, develop over time, or result from illness, injury, or noise exposure.

Some people use assistive technology such as hearing aids and cochlear implants, though not all Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals choose to use them for a variety of reasons. Many people with hearing impairments use sign language to communicate. American Sign Language (ASL) is a complete language that is distinct from English.

Blindness and Low Vision

Blindness and low vision can affect daily activities such as reading, driving, recognizing faces, and navigating environments. Visual impairments may be present at birth or develop later from illness, injury, or age-related changes.

Some people benefit from eyeglasses or contact lenses, while others have vision loss that cannot be fully corrected with standard visual aids. According to the CDC, approximately 1 million Americans experience blindness that visual aids like glasses cannot fully correct. An additional 7 million people who wear glasses or contacts to enhance their eyesight are not legally blind.

Speech and Language Disorders

Speech and language disabilities can involve:

• Difficulty producing sounds clearly
• Stuttering or voice differences
• Challenges understanding language
• Challenges expressing thoughts with words

An estimated one in 20 children have a communication disorder, per Cleveland Clinic. A speech-language pathologist can help individuals improve their communication skills and identify helpful tools or strategies.

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) are typically identified in childhood and may involve limitations in learning, communication, daily living skills, and social functioning. Over 8 million Americans have an intellectual or developmental disability, according to the University of Michigan.

This category includes a wide range of conditions, including autism, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy. Support needs can vary significantly from person to person.

Temporary, Permanent, and Situational Disabilities

People also describe disabilities by how long they last and the circumstances that bring them on:

• Temporary disability: A limitation expected to improve, such as recovering from a serious injury.
• Permanent disability: Permanent disabilities are long-term limitations that are not expected to go away, although supports, treatments, and accommodations can improve daily life.
• Situational disability: A limitation caused by a specific environment or situation, such as being unable to hear well in a very loud space. 
  
  Situational disabilities are real and can require practical solutions (like moving to a quieter area). However, whether a limitation qualifies as a “disability” under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) depends on the facts of the person’s situation, including severity and duration.

Learn More

Disability categories can be a helpful starting point, especially when someone is seeking accommodations, services, or community support. But categories don’t define a person.

If you’re supporting a loved one with a disability, it may also be helpful to learn about financial assistance and legal tools such as public benefits, ABLE accounts, and special needs trusts, so your family can pursue support without risking essential programs.

• Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 101
• Dyslexia Screenings in Early Education
• Recognizing Learning Disabilities
• Mental Health Parity: What It Is and Why It Still Matters