What are invisible disabilities?
Invisible disability, or hidden disability, is an umbrella term that captures a whole spectrum of hidden disabilities or challenges. Nearly one in two people in the U.S. has a chronic medical condition of one kind or another, but most of these people are not considered to be disabled, as their medical conditions do not impair their normal everyday activities. These people do not use an assistive device and most look and act perfectly healthy. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) an individual with a disability is a person who: Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; has a record of such an impairment; or is regarded as having such an impairment. Generally seeing a person in a wheelchair, wearing a hearing aid, or carrying a white cane tells us a person may be disabled. But what about invisible disabilities that make daily living a bit more difficult for many people worldwide Invisible disabilities can include chronic illnesses such as renal failure, diabetes, asthma, and sleep disorders if those diseases significantly impair normal activities of daily living. For example, there are people with visual or auditory impairments who do not wear hearing aids or eyeglasses so they may not seem to be obviously impaired. Those with joint conditions or problems who suffer chronic pain may not use any type of mobility aids on good days, or ever. Another example is Fibromyalgia which is now understood to be the most common cause of chronic musculoskeletal pain. Many people living with a hidden physical disability or mental challenge are still able to be active in their hobbies, work, and be active in sports. On the other hand, some struggle just to get through their day at work and some cannot work at all.
Keywords for Disability Studies
Online Access - Credo Reference
Understanding Deaf Culture
Online Access - EBSCO eBook Collection
The Gallaudet Dictionary of American Sign Language
REF HV 2475 .G35 2005
DISC in Media Cabinet
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders: Frequently Asked Questions
Online Access - EBSCO eBook Collection
Helen and Teacher: The Story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan Macy
HV 1624 .K4 L37
Comprehensive Guide to Autism
Online Access - SpringerLink
American Sign Language the Easy Way
Online Access - EBSCO eBook Collection
Working with the ADA: Understanding the Employment Provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Online Access - EBSCO eBook Collection
The American Sign Language Handshape Dictionary
Online Access - EBSCO eBook Collection
Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities and the Inclusive Future of Libraries
Online Access - EBSCO eBook Collection
Handbook of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Diagnosis, Development, Neurobiology, and Behavior
RJ 506.A9 H26 2005
v.1 & v.2
Disability in Higher Education
LC 4813 .E83 2017
Disability as Diversity in Higher Education
LC 4818.38 .D55 2017
Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century
HV 1552.3 .D57 2020
We're Not Broken
RC 553 .A88 G364 2021
Be Opened!
BX 2373 .D42 P67 2021
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Education Films on Demand addresses basics such as effective teaching methods and classroom management as well as best practices for use of technology, application of standards, overcoming the challenges of special needs students, understanding legal and ethical issues, English as a second language, and more. Access the videos by logging in with your UD network ID and password.