Types of Disability

Autism

In the UK, half a million adults are thought to have an Autistic Spectrum Condition. They may have difficulties with: 

  • communication
  • understanding the feelings of others
  • meeting new people

    People with an Autism Spectrum Condition may also have high levels of accuracy, attention to detail and a good memory for figures.

Resources: 

Weblinks: 

The following links are recommended by The National Autistic Society:

Dyslexia

About 10% of the UK population are thought to be affected by dyslexia. It affects many more men than women. People with dyslexia have difficulties with reading, writing and spelling. They may struggle with tasks such as:

  • writing or structuring documents
  • remembering instructions 
  • note taking

Potential strengths of people with dyslexia include creative and innovative thinking and good communication skills.

Support for an individual with dyslexia may include:

  • providing text-to-speech or speech-to-text software
  • allowing meetings or training events to be recorded
  • giving instructions verbally
  • providing written information on coloured paper 

Weblinks

Hearing Impairments

Someone with a hearing impairment may have:

  • partial or complete hearing loss
  • had their impairment from birth or it may have increased gradually over time
  • a temporary or permanent impairment 

The proportion of people with a hearing impairment who are in work is below the national average. However, there are many people with a hearing impairment who are in work and even more who would like the opportunity to be in work. 
Adjustments for an employee with a hearing impairment could include:

  • providing information in accessible formats
  • seating an employee in a quiet area, away from distracting noises
  • using adapted telephones with adjustable volumes and lights

Weblinks

Mental Health

Mental Health conditions cover a wide range of illnesses which can affect how people feel, think and behave. They can include: 

  • depression
  • anxiety
  • bipolar disorder

According to the Mental Health Foundation, 1 in 4 people experience a problem with their mental health every year. 

Weblinks 

Physical Impairments

A physical impairment is one which limits a person’s ability to do physical activity such as walking. These impairments may be as a result of:

  • amputation
  • cerebral palsy
  • injury
  • muscular dystrophy
  • multiple sclerosis

Some physical impairments may not be visible such as epilepsy or respiratory disorders. 

Many people with physical impairments have mobility aids to assist them. You may only need to take a few simple steps to ensure an employee with a physical impairment can fulfil their potential at work. 

Adjustments for a physically impaired employee include:

  • providing assistive computer equipment such as modifications to hardware or voice activated software 
  • agreeing an emergency evacuation procedure with them if they require assistance
  • making sure that the layout of the working environment is accessible and free from obstructions

Stammering

Stammering (also called stuttering) is a speech/fluency difficulty where the person has speech blocks (getting stuck on one sound; a silent block is when nothing comes out at all), prolongations (stretching sounds out), or repetitions of sounds

It is individual. Each person stammers differently, and this can vary from one day or situation to another. The person may also avoid words and situations because of anxiety and strong feelings about their stammering

It does not result from a personality or intellectual disorder. People who stammer have normal intelligence, competence and ability People who stammer know what they want to say but sometimes find it difficult to physically produce speech. 

Weblinks 

Visual Impairments

There are almost 80,000 registered blind and partially sighted people of working age in the UK (not including conditions which can be corrected by glasses or contact lenses). The majority have some useful vision. They represent a huge pool of potential employees.

Advances in technology mean that blind and partially sighted people can now overcome many of the barriers to work that they faced in the past. With the right training, skills and experience a blind or partially sighted person can do just about any job. Just like any other worker, they will need the right tools to do the job, for example additional tools that reduce or eliminate the need for eyesight. 

Adjustments for a blind or partially sighted employee include:

  • offering additional training about visual impairments for other colleagues 
  • making alterations to the working environment
  • supplying documents in audio or Braille formats 
  • carrying out a risk assessment of the workplace 
  • arranging a tour of the workplace
  • providing software or technology that magnifies onscreen text and images or converts text to sound

Weblinks

Last updated