PHYSICAL DISABILITY

A physical disability is a limitation on a person's physical functioning, mobility, dexterity or stamina.

Other physical disabilities include impairments which limit other facets of daily living, such as respiratory
disorders, blindness, epilepsy and sleep disorders.

Causes

Prenatal disabilities are acquired before birth. These may be due to diseases or substances that the mother
has been exposed to during pregnancy, embryonic or fetal developmental accidents or genetic disorders.

Perinatal disabilities are acquired between some weeks before to up to four weeks after birth in
humans. These can be due to prolonged lack of oxygen or obstruction of the respiratory tract, damage to
the brain during birth (due to the accidental misuse of forceps, for example) or the baby being
born prematurely. These may also be caused due to genetic disorders or accidents.

Post-natal disabilities are gained after birth. They can be due to accidents, obesity, infection or
other illnesses. These may also be caused due to genetic disorders.

Types

Mobility impairment includes physical defects, including upper or lower limb loss or impairment,
poor manual dexterity, and damage to one or more organs of the body. Disability in mobility can be a
congenital or acquired problem, or a consequence of disease. People who have a broken skeletal structure
also fall into this category.

Visual impairment is another type of physical impairment. There are hundreds of thousands of people
who suffer greatly from minor to various serious vision injuries or impairments. These types of injuries
can also result in severe problems or diseases such as blindness and ocular trauma. Some other types of
vision impairment include scratched cornea, scratches on the sclera, diabetes-related eye conditions, dry
eyes and corneal graft, macular degeneration in old age and retinal detachment.

Hearing loss is a partial or total inability to hear. Deaf and hard of hearing people have a rich culture and
benefit from learning sign language for communication purposes.[citation needed] People who are only
partly deaf can sometimes make use of hearing aids to improve their hearing ability.

Physical impairment can also be attributed to disorders causing, among others, sleep deficiency, chronic
fatigue, chronic pain, and seizures.

Source: http://www.specialeducationguide.com/pre-k-12/what-is-special-education/

Physical Disabilities
There are no spectators at life's banquet - everyone is at the table, no one is excluded.

President Mary McAleese speaking at Enable Ireland Cork Services on 16 July 2004, taken from Enable
Ireland Newsletter Autumn 2004

http://www.enableireland.ie/

Students may have physical disabilities arising from conditions such as congenital deformities, spina
bifida and/or hydrocephalus, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, brittle bones, haemophilia, cystic
fibrosis or severe accidental injury. It is important to state that there is no necessary direct correlation
between the degree of physical disability and the inability to cope with the school curriculum, apart from
the elements involving physical activity. Students with severe physical disability may have minimal
special educational needs, while those with minimal physical disability may have serious learning needs.
Physical access can be a major concern for students who have physical disabilities as those who use
wheelchairs, braces, crutches, rolators, canes or prostheses, or those who fatigue easily may have
difficulty moving around a school campus.

The SESS is aware that the range of physical disabilities is wide, and a selection is presented in this
publication.

It is to be noted that there is some repetition in this section with regard to tips for learning and teaching
and the additional references and resources. Such repetition is unavoidable owing to the shared
experiences of students with a range of physical
disabilities.

Source: http://www.sess.ie/categories/physical-disabilities

PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

Brittle Bone Disease

Leagan Gaeilge Anseo [PDF]

Most people with OI [Brittle Bone Disease], with support and specialized equipment, can lead active and
fulfilled lives.

Patricia Minor author of What Life is Like Living with OI, PublishAmerica: Frederick, MD, (2006)

Brittle bone disease is a skeletal disease characterised by an abnormal fragility of the bones. The collagen
(a key component of bones, tendons and skin) is affected and this leads to bones breaking easily
consequently repeated fractures and weak bones may present. Students with brittle bone disease bruise
easily and may be thought of as accident-prone. Many students with brittle bone disease are lefthanded
owing to a high frequency of fractures to the right hand. Students with brittle bone disease are no more
likely to have learning difficulties than the rest of their peers.

Source: http://www.sess.ie/categories/physical-disabilities/brittle-bone-disease

Cerebral Palsy

Leagan Gaeilge Anseo [PDF]

I realize that I can do things and I can do them very well. Some things I cant do ... but I will have to live
with that. At 16, I believe, Ive learned more than many people will learn in their whole lives.

Taken from Its OK to be different, by Angie Erickson,

(student with Cerebral Palsy) Newsweek 24 October 1994

Cerebral palsy is a term used to refer to a group of complicated conditions that affect movement and
posture because of damage to or failure in the development of the part of the brain that controls
movement. This happens before birth, during birth or during early childhood before the brains growth
has reached a certain level of maturity. The condition itself does not normally change but individuals with
cerebral palsy can become increasingly better at managing their difficulties as they get older. Generally
speaking cerebral palsy is characterised by involuntary jerking movements, a poor sense of balance,
spastic muscles and speech impairment. Many forms of cerebral palsy are now recognised and it is
described either:

(a) in terms of the part of the body affected:

Hemiplegia: affecting one side of the body.

Diplegia: affecting the whole body.

Quadriplegia: affecting both arms and legs.

Or

(b) in terms of how the body is affected:

Spasticity: difficulty moving limbs and problems with posture and general movements.
Athetosis: involuntary movements such as twitches or spasms.

Ataxia: difficultly co-ordinating muscle groups and problems with balance, walking, etc.

It is sometimes the case that students present with a mixture of these conditions, as well as other
associated difficulties, so the term embraces a wide spectrum. The associated difficulties include
difficulties with constipation, epilepsy, general/specific learning disabilities, sleeping, speech and
understanding the spoken word, and visual perception.

It is estimated that 1 in 400 students are affected by cerebral palsy and it is important to note that there is
a huge variation in the manner in which cerebral palsy affects each individual. Some but not all students
will have communication difficulties (including social mixing difficulties), movement and control
difficulties, difficulties in processing and in ordering information, and spatial and perceptual difficulties.

Source: http://www.sess.ie/categories/physical-disabilities/cerebral-palsy

Muscular Dystrophy

Leagan Gaeilge Anseo [PDF]

Everyday Thom endures a great deal of pain, but he never complains. He just lives each day to the fullest
he has taught me so much He is truly a hero in my eyes and I love him so very much.

Taken from Living with MD by Leslie, whose husband has muscular dystrophy

Muscular dystrophy is a collective term for a variety of neuromuscular conditions characterised by the
progressive deterioration and wasting of muscle fibres. There are two main types of muscular dystrophy:
Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Myotonic muscular dystrophy. The main characteristic of muscular
dystrophy is a progressive weakening of the muscles; the child at birth appears quite normal but as growth
occurs and muscles deteriorate the child becomes noticeably weaker. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a
progressive, life-limiting condition in which a significant change in the students abilities is seen over the
years. While intellectual impairment may occur with some students with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, it
only affects a minority of students.

Source: http://www.sess.ie/categories/physical-disabilities/muscular-dystrophy

Spina Bifida

Leagan Gaeilge Anseo [PDF]

Our vision is that people with Spina Bifida and/or Hydrocephalus will participate to their fullest potential
in all aspects of life.

Taken from SBHIs (Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Ireland) Goals

http://www.sbhi.ie/
Spina bifida is a defect in the spinal column in which one or more vertebrae fail to form properly, leaving
a gap that can result in damage to the central nervous system. Those born with spina bifida may need
surgery and other extensive medical care owing to the paralysis that may result from damage to the spinal
cord. Spina bifida may also be associated with bowel and bladder complications. A large percentage born
with spina bifida also present with hydrocephalus (an accumulation of fluid in the brain).

There are three main types of spina bifida: spina bifida occulta (hidden); spina bifida cystisa (cystlike);
and cranium bifida. The one most likely to present with physical disability is spina bifida cystisa. There
are two forms: meningocele, the least common form of spina bifida, where the nerves are usually not
badly damaged and are able to function, and mylomeningocele, the most common form of spina bifida
and also the most serious, where there is always some degree of paralysis and loss of sensation. With
mylomeningocele, the amount of disability depends on where the spina bifida is and the amount of nerve
damage involved. Students with this condition are invariably wheelchair users and many experience
problems with bowel and bladder control.

The student with spina bifida can have co-ordination and perception difficulties that will affect his/her
learning. Short-term memory, speech and vision difficulties may also be present. However, one must
remember that wide variations exist with regard to the needs of each individual student.

Source: http://www.sess.ie/categories/physical-disabilities/spina-bifida

Friedreich's Ataxia

"It is my joy in Life to find

At Every turning of the road
The strong arm of a comrade kind
To help me onward with my load"

F.D. Sherman

Friedreichs Ataxia (FA) is a debilitating, life-shortening, degenerative neuro-muscular disorder. A neuro-

muscular disorder results in muscle weakness and fatigue. Although muscle wasting isnt painful, the
resultant weakness can cause cramping, stiffness, joint deformities, chronic aches and pain, and
sometimes the tightening and freezing of joints. Onset of symptoms can vary from childhood to
adulthood.

What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?

loss of coordination (ataxia) in the arms and legs

fatigue - energy deprivation and muscle loss

vision impairment, hearing loss, and slurred speech

aggressive scoliosis (curvature of the spine)

diabetes mellitus (insulin-dependence, in most cases)

a serious heart condition (enlarged heart - hypertrophic cardiomyopathy)

Not all these symptoms are present in people who have FA. The rate of deterioration and incapacitation
affects each person differently and at varying times in their lives. The progressive loss of coordination
and muscle strength leads to motor incapacitation and eventually the full-time use of a wheelchair. Most
young people diagnosed with FA require mobility aids such as a cane, walker, or wheelchair by their
teens or early twenties.

What is Friedreichs Ataxia?

FA is a genetic disorder. FA patients have gene mutations that limit the production of a protein called
frataxin. This important protein called frataxin functions in the mitochondria (the energy producing
factories) of the cell. Frataxin helps to move iron and is involved with the formation of iron-sulphur
clusters, which are necessary components in the function of the mitochondria and thus energy production.
We also know that specific nerve cells (neurons) degenerate in people with FA, and this is directly
manifested in the symptoms of the disease.

Treatment for Friedreichs Ataxia

At present, there is no cure for FA although the day is rapidly approaching when genetic and drug
therapies may change that situation. Medical interventions have increased the life-span and improved the
quality of life for many children. These interventions focus on treating or delaying symptoms, enhancing
physical mobility and social interactions, and preventing heart and lung complications.

Common interventions include assistive equipment (computer equipment and software, walkers,
wheelchairs etc.), physical and occupational therapy, surgery, nutritional support, cardiac and respiratory
care.

Source: http://www.sess.ie/categories/physical-disabilities/physical-disabilities/friedreichs-ataxia

Physical Disability Exceptionality

A condition of such severe physical limitation or deficiency as to require special assistance in learning
situations to provide the opportunity for educational achievement equivalent to that of pupils without
exceptionalities who are of the same age or developmental level.

Board Special Education Plans

Allows students who are blind or severely visually impaired to read.

A formal exceptionality, identified by an Identification Placement and Review Committee (IPRC), in the
category of Physical.

See the teaching strategies for these related diagnosed conditions:

Acquired Brain Injury
 Angelman Syndrome
Brain Injury
Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Cystic Fibrosis (CP)
Klinefelter's Syndrome
Muscular Dystrophy (MD)
Spina Bifida

See also the teaching strategies for these related areas of student need:
Assistive Technology
Blind and Low Vision
Fine Motor Skills
Gross Motor Skills
Mobility Skills
Personal Care
Personal Safety
Self-Advocacy Skills
Self-Esteem
Social Skills
Visual-Motor Skills

Source: https://www.teachspeced.ca/physical-disability

Characteristics of Students with Physical or Health Disabilities

The characteristics of students with physical or health disabilities are as unique to the individuals as the
conditions that created their special needs. The health care needs of some children are so consuming that
everything else becomes secondary. Other students, such as some with physical disabilities, require
substantial alterations to the physical environment, so that learning is accessible to them, but are quite
similar to their typical classmates in many learning characteristics. For still others, their health situation
requires intense special accommodations at some points in time, but less so at other times.

The education professionals who make a real difference in the academic lives of these students are first
and foremost responsive to the individual learning needs they bring to school. Thus, instead of making
generalizations about these students, here we will discuss three of the more common conditions seen at
schools. (Remember, however, that both physical and health disabilities are low incidence special
education categories.) We will look more closely, then, at

Epilepsy

Cerebral palsy

Sickle cell anemia

Epilepsy
Seizures may involve the entire brain (generalized seizures) or only a portion of the brain (partial
seizures). The frequency of seizures may vary from a single isolated incident to hundreds in a day. Some
individuals actually anticipate their seizures because they experience a preictal stage, or an aura, and have
heightened sensory signals of an impending seizure, such as a peculiar smell, taste, vision, sound, or
action. Others might experience a change in their behavior. Knowing about an aura pattern is helpful,
because it enables the person to assume a safe position or warn the teacher and companions before a
seizure begins.

The Epilepsy Foundation of America (2005a) identifies four main types of seizures:

Absence seizures

Simple partial seizures

Complex partial (psychomotor) seizures

Generalized tonic-clonic seizures

Some seizures are difficult for the individual involved and others to recognize. For example, absence
seizures or petit mal seizures are characterized by short lapses in consciousness. Because absence seizures
are not dramatic, a teacher might wrongly assume that the child is merely daydreaming or not paying
attention. Simple partial seizures, which cause people affected to think that their environments are
distorted and strange and that inexplicable events and feelings have occurred, can also be difficult to
identify. With these seizures, teachers might incorrectly believe that the student is acting out or exhibiting
bizarre behavior patterns. Complex partial seizures (also called psychomotor or focal seizures) are short
in duration, and the individual returns to normal activities quickly. Sometimes, teachers interpret the
child's behavior during this type of seizure as misbehavior or clowning. This situation can be confusing to
the child, who is unaware of the episode. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures (formerly referred to as grand
mal seizures) are the most serious type of seizure and result in convulsions and loss of consciousness. The
dramatic behaviors exhibited during a tonic-clonic seizure may at first be frightening to the teacher and to
other students in the class. The student may fall to the floor and experience a stiff (tonic) phase, in which
the muscles become rigid, followed by a clonic phase, in which the individual's arms and legs jerk.

Cerebral Palsy

The severity of the condition depends on the precise location of brain damage, the degree of brain
damage, and the extent of involvement of the central nervous system (UCP, 2001). Individuals with
cerebral palsy whose motor functioning is affected show these characteristics alone or in combination:
jerky movements. spasms, involuntary movements, and lack of muscle tone. Often, individuals with
cerebral palsy have multiple disabilities, probably resulting from the same damage to the brain that caused
the cerebral palsy. For example, many individuals who have severe difficulties in motor functioning also
have trouble mastering oral speech. These individuals have speech impairments and physical disabilities.
Although some degree of mental retardation is present in about half of the children with cerebral palsy,
others are intellectually gifted. It is a tragic mistake to assume that cerebral palsy and mental retardation
always occur in combination. There are four ways in which areas of the body can be affected by cerebral
palsy: monoplegia, paraplegia. hemiplegia, and quadriplegia.
Another way in which cerebral palsy is classified is in terms of how the individual's movement is
affected:

Spastic cerebral palsy: Movements are very stiff.

Athetoid cerebral palsy: Involuntary movements are purposeless or uncontrolled, and purposeful
movements are contorted.

Ataxia cerebral palsy: Movements such as walking are disrupted by impairments of balance and depth
perception.

Many individuals with cerebral palsy have impaired mobility and poor muscle development. Even if they
can walk, their efforts may require such exertion and be so inefficient that they need canes, crutches, or a
wheelchair to get around. Students with cerebral palsy may also need braces to help support the affected
limbs and make them more functional or to prevent contractures that would eventually lead to bone
deformities and further mobility limitations. Proper positioning of the body also must be considered.
Many children need wedges, pillows, and individually designed chairs and worktables so that they can be
comfortable; breathe easier; avoid injuries. contractures, and deformities; and participate in group
activities.

Source: https://www.education.com/reference/article/students-physical-health-disabilities/

Physical Disability

Definition

Students with a physical disability have an acquired or congenital physical and/or motor impairment such
as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, arthritis, developmental coordination disorder,
amputations, genetic disorders, etc. The disability may interfere with the development or function of the
bones, muscles, joints and central nervous system. Physical characteristics may include:

paralysis

altered muscle tone

an unsteady gait

loss of, or inability to use, one or more limbs

difficulty with gross-motor skills such as walking or running

difficulty with fine-motor skills such as buttoning clothing or printing/writing

The impairment may range from mild to severe, may have minimal impact on the student or interfere
substantially with functional ability. The effects of the disability may be minimized through appropriate
environmental adaptations and/or the use of assistive devices.
Services

Students who have been diagnosed with a physical disability may require a range of school based services
depending on level of need and functioning. A comprehensive assessment is required to inform program
planning. Programming decisions are made by the student's program planning team.

Source: http://www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/studentsupportservices/physical.html#top

https://www.scranton.edu/academics/ctle/disabilities/documents/PHYSICAL_DISABILITIES.PDF

Physical activity and associated levels of disability and quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis: a
large international survey.

BACKGROUND:

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a common neurodegenerative disease, which often has a devastating effect on
physical and emotional wellbeing of people with MS (PwMS). Several studies have shown positive
effects of physical activity (PA) on disability, health related quality of life (HRQOL), and other outcomes.
However, many studies include only people with mild disability making it difficult to generalize findings
to those with moderate or severe disability. This study investigated the associations between PA and
HRQOL, relapse rate (RR), disability, and demographic variables in PwMS with varying disability.

METHODS:

Through online platforms this large international survey recruited 2232 participants with MS who
completed items regarding PA, MS and other health characteristics.

RESULTS:

PwMS who were younger (p < .001), male (p = 0.006), and with lower body mass index (BMI) (p < .001)
undertook more PA, which was associated with decreased disability (p < 0.001) and increased HRQOL
measures (all p < 0.001). For the subsample of people with relapsing-remitting MS, PA was associated
with a decreased RR (p = 0.009). Regression analyses showed that increased PA predicted clinically
significant improvements in HRQOL while controlling for level of disability, age and gender. More
specifically, increasing from low to moderate and to high PA increased estimated mean physical health
composite from 47.7 to 56.0 to 59.9 respectively (25.6% change), mental health composite from 60.6 to
67.0 to 68.8 (13.5% change), energy subscale from 35.9 to 44.5 to 49.8 (38.7% change), social function
subscale from 57.8 to 66.1 to 68.4 (18.3% change), and overall QOL subscale from 58.5 to 64.5 to 67.7
(15.7% change).

CONCLUSIONS:

For PwMS, regardless of disability level, increased PA is related to better HRQOL in terms of energy,
social functioning, mental and physical health. These are important findings that should be taken into
consideration by clinicians treating PwMS.

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25016312
Different types of physical disabilities may affect, either temporarily or permanently, a person's physical
capacity and/or mobility.

Whilst there are tests available for some physical disabilities, they are often diagnosed through
observations of a persons development, behaviour, and physical capabilities.

Physical disabilities are the most commonly reported disability in children, and they are more common in
boys than in girls.

Acquired brain injury

Acquired brain injuries are due to any damage that occurs to the brain after birth. They can be caused
through a wide range of factors including a blow to the head, stroke, alcohol or drugs, infection, disease
such as AIDs or cancer, or a lack of oxygen.

It is common for many people with a brain injury to find that they are slower at processing information,
planning, and solving problems. They may also experience changes to their behaviour and personality,
physical and sensory abilities, or thinking and learning.

The effects of brain injuries and the disabilities they cause can be temporary or permanent.

Spinal cord injury

A spinal cord injury often causes a permanent physical disability. The spinal cord can become injured if
too much pressure is applied and/or if the blood and oxygen supply to the spinal cord is cut. When the
spinal cord has been damaged, it leads to a loss of function such as mobility or feeling.

For some people, a SCI results in paraplegia (loss of function below the chest), for others it leads to
quadriplegia (loss of function below the neck).

Accidents account for 79% of spinal cord injuries in Australia mostly caused by motor vehicle accidents
(46%) and falls (28%). The other 21% are caused by a range of non-traumatic causes, like cancer,
arthritis, infections, blood clots, and degenerative spinal conditions.

As well as affecting the ability to walk through paralysis, it may affect many areas of a person's body -
such as the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, bladder and bowel function, temperature, and sensory
abilities.

Spina bifida

Spina bifida is the incomplete formation of the spine and spinal cord in utero. It can cause the spinal cord
and nerves to be exposed on the surface of the back, instead of being inside a canal of bone surrounded by
muscle.

People with spina bifida experience a range of mild to severe physical disabilities including paralysis or
weakness in the legs, bowel and bladder incontinence, hydrocephalus (too much fluid in the brain
cavities), deformities of the spine, and learning difficulties.
The cause of spina bifida is not well understood, but it is likely caused by genetic and environmental
factors. Adequate intake of folate by the mother in early pregnancy has been found to be a significant
factor in preventing a child developing the disability.

Cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy is associated with movement, muscle tone, and posture - Cerebral refers to the brain and
palsy means weakness or lack of muscle control.

Typically, it is due to an injury to the developing brain before or during birth, caused by a reduced blood
supply and lack of oxygen to the brain. Illnesses during pregnancy such as rubella (the German measles),
accidental injury to the brain, meningitis in young children, and premature birth can all be causes.

In Australia, over 90% of cerebral palsy was due to a brain injury while the mother was pregnant, or
before one month of age, however, 10% of people develop the disability later in life, usually as a result of
infections such as meningitis or encephalitis, stroke, or a severe head injury (Cerebral Palsy Alliance).

People with Cerebral palsy may experience epilepsy, and may have difficulty with awareness and
comprehension.

Cystic fibrosis (CF)

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited genetic condition, which affects the bodys respiratory, digestive, and
reproductive systems. It specifically affects the mucus and sweat glands in the body, causing mucus to be
thick and sticky. In the case of the lungs, this can clog the air passages and trap bacteria causing lung
damage and recurrent infections.

In Australia, more than 1 in 25 people carry the cystic fibrosis gene, but being a carrier doesn't mean that
you will also have CF itself (Better Health Channel).

A range of other symptoms are caused by the effects of CF on other parts of the body, including sinus
infections, liver damage, diabetes, poor growth, diarrhoea, and infertility. In the case of the pancreas, the
release of enzymes needed to digest food is prevented, which means people with CF must consume a very
high calorie diet 20 to 50% more each day than the recommended intake.

People with CF can also have low salt levels in the body which causes problems such as fatigue, cramps,
and dehydration.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurological condition where a person has a tendency to have recurring seizures due
to a sudden burst of electrical activity in the brain. Seizures can cause unusual movements, odd feelings
or sensations, a change a person's behaviour, or cause them to lose consciousness.

The causes of epilepsy are not always known, however, brain injuries, strokes, cancer, brain
infection, structural abnormalities of the brain, and other genetic factors can all cause epilepsy.
There are many different types of epilepsy and the nature and severity of seizures experienced by people
can vary widely. Some people can control their seizures with medication and the condition is not lifelong
for every person.

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

MS occurs when the myelin sheath - protective tissue around nerve fibres in the body - becomes
damaged, causing random patches or scars. The scars can interfere with messages sent through the central
nervous system, affecting the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord.

The symptoms of MS are very varied but can include fatigue, loss of motor control, tingling, numbness,
visual disturbances, memory loss, depression, and cognitive difficulties.

The progress and severity of MS can be difficult to predict - it may progress very slowly for one person,
but develop quickly in another.

Muscular dystrophy

Muscular dystrophy is a group of disorders that lead to progressive and irreversible weakness and loss of
muscle mass. There are more than 30 different types of muscular dystrophy, and each has a separate
cause. They are all however genetic conditions, which means that they are caused by an alteration within
the genetic makeup.

Signs and symptoms can be very varied however can include difficulty walking, trouble breathing or
swallowing, restriction in joint motion, and heart and other organ problems.

Symptoms of the most common type of the disease appear in childhood, however, others do not become
apparent until middle age or older.

Tourette syndrome

Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder which involves involuntary and repetitive vocalisations,
sounds, and movements called tics. These tics are neurological not behavioural - which means a person
with Tourette syndrome cannot control them.

Vocal tics can include sniffing, throat clearing, tongue clicking, grunting, or more rarely blurting
out socially unacceptable words or phrases. Motor tics can include repetitive eye blinking, shoulder
shrugging, nose twitching, head jerking, facial expressions, touching objects or other people, spinning
around, imitating someone elses actions, or jumping up and down.

Tourette syndrome is typically diagnosed between the ages of 2 and 21. It is not known exactly what
causes Tourette syndrome, but it is likely a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurochemical
(chemicals of the brain) factors.

Dwarfism

Dwarfism is short stature (abnormal skeletal growth) which can be caused by over 300 genetic or medical
conditions. It is generally defined as an adult height of 4 feet 10 inches or less, with the average height of
someone with dwarfism being 4 feet (Mayo Clinic).

In general, there are two categories for dwarfism:

Disproportionate dwarfism: where some parts of the body are smaller, whilst other parts are average or
above-average.

Proportionate dwarfism where the body is averagely proportioned, and all parts of the body are small to
the same degree

Children with dwarfism may experience a delay on developing motor skills, however, dwarfism does not
have a link to any intellectual disability.

Source: http://www.hwns.com.au/Resource-centre/Types-of-disabilities/physical-disability

https://bmcneurol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2377-14-143

The Best Jobs for Candidates with Physical Disabilities

By: CareerCast.com

The job market for candidates with disabilities should improve significantly starting in March of next
year, thanks to changes in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The amendments are designed to help a sector
of the workforce who often face high obstacles to employment.Called the Final Rule, the U.S.
Department of Labor (DOL) has set a goal for many U.S. companies to expand their workforces so that
7% of their employees are disabled. It's an amendment to Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act meant to
promote the hiring of applicants with disabilities by government contractors and subcontractors.The net
result of this change should be a huge increase in the hiring of disabled candidates, says Janet Fiore, the
Philadelphia-based CEO of the Sierra Group and President of RecruitDisability.org.

Ive been in the industry [for] 22 years, and businesses are far more ready to interview, hire, provide
internships and get involved [with applicants with disabilities], Fiore says. Where I used to have to
work hard to get a meeting, our phone now rings with companies looking for candidates with
disabilities.

The Sierra Group helps connect candidates with disabilities to career opportunities, and Fiore says the
Final Rule is making her organizations efforts more effective, which promises to help the entire
economy.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that by the end of 2012, the unemployment rate for job
seekers with disabilities was 13.4%, which was 5.6% higher than the national average. Considering the
U.S. Census Bureau reported in 2012 that approximately 19% of the population had some kind of
disability, such a high unemployment rate is significant.

Best estimates based on available data suggest that if every government contractor and subcontractor
achieved the rules 7% goal, it would mean the addition of nearly 600,000 people with disabilities into the
workforce in the first year alone, says Patricia Shiu, Director of the Office of Federal Contract
Compliance Programs in Washington, D.C.

What types of jobs will be created is a question asked by many candidates with disabilities, and the
answer likely will be in office environments, Fiore explains. Some fields are ahead of the curve in terms
of providing opportunities to people with disabilities, such as accounting and financial planning.

DiversityInc.coms list of the top 10 companies for hiring candidates with disabilities includes such
financial institutions as Ernst & Young, Accenture and Prudential Financial.Fiore says hiring in STEM
careers also is on the rise, and thats reflective in Microsoft, AT&T and IBM also appearing on
DiversityInc.coms top 10 list.

In fact, IBM established a recruiting initiative specifically targeting college students and recent graduates
with disabilities, and maintains its Accessible Workplace Connection program specifically for both
permanent and temporary employees.Technology is also a crucial foundation to improved employment
prospects.

Fiore says that advancements in workplace tools is one of the central components to increased hiring of
workers with disabilities, while the other is changing attitudes.

The proof is in the quality of candidate, and weve been saying that for years, she says.In health care,
the pharmaceutical industry is one path to jobs for seekers with disabilities. Pharmaceutical companies
work with such job placement organizations as Goodwill Industries to place applicants in positions like
pharmacy technician and pharmaceutical sales representative.

A primary reason for the new regulations is that the key to improving the nations employment outlook is
lowering the unemployment rate for persons with disabilities, says Shiu.

Any effort that results in an expanded, more diverse applicant pool of qualified candidates benefits
employers, she says. This is a change that has the potential to benefit every industry.

When reviewing the best jobs for candidates with disabilities, the position vocational counselor ranks
highly. They typically have a unique understanding of the challenges faced by disabled job seekers and
are uniquely suited to guide applicants through the process.

Similarly, workers with disabilities have unparalleled insight to provide companies guidance as
management consultants and market research analysts to help organizations better tailor their workplace,
products and services for the disabled community.

Below are the 10 top jobs for people with physical disabilities, according to the CareerCast.com 2013
Jobs Rated report.

Accountant

Financial Planner

Management Consultant

Market Research Analyst

Pharmaceutical Sales

Pharmacy Technician

Physician Assistant

Software Engineer

Vocational Counselor

Sales Representative