A disability is any continuing condition that restricts everyday activities. The Disability Services Act (1993) defines ‘disability’ as meaning a disability:

• which is attributable to an intellectual, psychiatric, cognitive, neurological, sensory or physical impairment or a combination of those impairments
• which is permanent or likely to be permanent
• which may or may not be of a chronic or episodic nature
• which results in substantially reduced capacity of the person for communication, social interaction, learning or mobility and a need for continuing support services.

With the assistance of appropriate aids and services, the restrictions experienced by many people with a disability may be overcome.

Types of disability

The main categories of disability are physical, sensory, psychiatric, neurological, cognitive and intellectual.Many people with disability have multiple disabilities.

A physical disability is the most common type of disability, followed by intellectual and sensory disability. Physical disability generally relates to disorders of the musculoskeletal…