Categories of Disability

 

There are a variety of categories that disabilities fall under, and the access needs for students with different disabilities vary widely.

Note that these are just examples of some of the access needs and accommodations folks might have. Individuals with the same disability often have different access needs.

 

Disability Categories & Access Needs Examples*

Disability Category	Example	Access Need Example
Auditory	hearing loss	captioning
Visual	low vision	screen reader
Deaf-blindness	Usher Syndrome	braille format
Speech	stutter	text-to-speech software
Mobility, Flexibility, & Body Structure	paralysis	extended testing time
Cognitive	attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder	quiet testing space
Seizure	epilepsy	service animal
Psychiatric/psychological	social anxiety disorder	Alternatives to speech-based class participation
Multiple/Compound	cerebral palsy	text-to-speech; wheelchair accessible desk
Learning	dyslexia	special font

 

 

Most blind Americans do not use braille. 

---

Module 1 Contents