1 Definitions and Statistics
Definitions of Disability
Per Merriam Webster:
A physical, mental, cognitive, or developmental condition that impairs, interferes with, or limits a person’s ability to engage in certain tasks or actions or participate in typical daily activities and interactions
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disability
Per the Americans with Disabilities Act:
An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment. The ADA does not specifically name all of the impairments that are covered.
https://www.ada.gov/cguide.htm#anchor62335
Per the Social Security Administration:
The inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s) which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/general-info.htm
Common Statistics on Disability in the US and Global Population
https://www.disabilitystatistics.org/
61 Million identified adults are living with disabilities in the United states:
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/infographic-disability-impacts-all.html
An estimated 1 billion people live with disabilities globally:
https://www.who.int/disabilities/world_report/2011/report.pdf
Approximately 93 million children globally live with disabilities:
https://www.unicefusa.org/mission/protect/disabilities
14% of public school students received services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in 2019-2020:
https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/cgg
The Medical Model vs. Social Model of Disability
The Medical Model pins barriers and lack of access on pathologies and leaves disabilities to be accommodated or tolerated.
The Social Model of Disability holds society responsible for lack of access and equity for people with disabilities.
https://the-ndaca.org/resources/audio-described-gallery/fundamental-principles-of-disability/
Definitions of Ableism
The intentional or unintentional discrimination or oppression of people with disabilities.
https://simmons.libguides.com/anti-oppression/anti-ableism
Forms of Ableism
Oppression
Discrimination
Reduced Access
Microaggressions
Lack of Representation
Misrepresentation
Inspiration Porn
Prescriptive or Inflexible Procedures, Rules, and Norms
Inaccessible design