Disability & Health

Insights from Special Educator

- By Ms. Ankita Mishra, Special Educator, New Delhi, Ph:99534 52348, [e-mail]

The word disability is often misunderstood. In reality, disability does not only mean having a physical or mental limitation it arises when a person with an impairment faces barriers in performing an activity in daily life. It has three dimensions: Impairment, activity limitation and participation restrictions. Disability is a functional limitation. Handicap is a disadvantage for a given individual that prevents or limits the fulfillment of a role expected from him/her. In simple words. An impairment is a limitation within the body, a barrier is a restriction in the environment, and when both exist together, it becomes a disability. In the current terminology, the word disability is replaced with Differently abled which means unique strengths rather than limitations. Another purpose is to have more positive framing perspective. As per The Rights of Persons with Disabilities ACT 2016, there are 21 disabilities. The current research and clinical evidence have shown Differently abled people have more health-related issues. People with vision