Mobility disabilities can result in difficulty walking and physical tasks. They can be congenital or acquired, and may require physical therapy or workplace accommodations. Laws protect people with disabilities from discrimination. Multiple disabilities can complicate management and lead to further complications.
Mobility disabilities are disabilities that result in mobility impairments, where people have difficulty walking and engaging in other tasks that require physical mobility. Also known as physical disabilities, such disabilities can present in a variety of ways and can vary considerably in severity. Some people with mobility impairments need mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers or canes to move around freely and safely.
Some motor disabilities are congenital, the result of genetic conditions and problems during fetal development. One example is cerebral palsy, a condition in which the area of the brain responsible for regulating movement is impaired, leading to partial paralysis. Others are acquired. Spinal cord injury is a common acquired motor disability, and as you age, you may be at risk for injuries such as hip fracture that can cause temporary or permanent damage.
When a person is diagnosed with a mobility disability, an occupational therapist and other specialists can work with the person to develop a plan for managing the disability and addressing barriers to access. This may include physical therapy to keep the body in good working order, adapting to a wheelchair to increase mobility, and learning how to work with helpers and assistants to complete daily tasks that can be difficult for people with motor difficulties.
Mobility disabilities may qualify people for government disability assistance, on the grounds that people may have difficulty finding suitable work when they have mobility impairments. Some people choose to work or need to work for other reasons and seek workplace accommodations so they can work safely. This can include things like wheelchair ramps, as well as rearranging office furniture so a person can get around easily with a cane or walker.
Many countries have laws in place to protect people with disabilities from discrimination and to mandate accessibility in building design, particularly for public buildings. Mobility disabilities are a commonly used example of a physical disability that needs protection under such laws. Before the development of anti-discrimination laws, people could be refused housing, jobs and services on the basis of their disabilities.
It is possible that motor disabilities are accompanied by other disabilities, such as intellectual disabilities or mental illness. Having multiple disabilities can complicate managing one disability and may require the services of multiple specialists. Disabilities that impair mobility can also lead to complications of their own, such as the risk of pressure sores in people who can’t stand or walk or the development of obesity in patients who can’t exercise for weight management.
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