Ability & Accessibility.
Working with Ability Differences
Ability refers to varying abilities and disabilities. Differences in cognitive, socio-emotional, and physical abilities add to the layers of ability diversity. It is important to note that many people do not refer to their differences as disabilities; rather, people come in all shapes and conditions, some of which have been the foundation for new cultures and ways of engaging with the world.
Understanding these differences is the start to creating an organization that supports its employees, students, and patrons. Being an inclusive organization means identifying and dismantling barriers to making an organization that actively incorporates the talents of all people. But it also means ensuring that employees have the knowledge and skills to identify ability differences and respond appropriately.
Ability Differences
Physical
As with every form of ability, the diversity of physical abilities is a broad concept that encompasses vision, auditory, mobility, or medical attributes.
Vision
Visual abilities refer to our ability to see objects, perceive light or color, correctly judge distances, or access information in visual media like print, images, or video. Some people visually perceive the world differently than others, including those with total blindness, low vision, or color blindness.
Medical
Variations in medical abilities can be caused by shortness of breath, low endurance during activity, pain while sitting, or sudden weakness. Medical abilities can be caused by musculoskeletal injuries, cardiovascular conditions, respiratory illnesses, immune system disorders, or digestive tract problems.
Auditory
There is a range of auditory abilities that can cause differences in partial or total perceived sounds, including total deafness or varying degrees of hearing loss. Sometimes, inner ear nerve malformation or damage, neurological disorders, or physical trauma to the brain can affect auditory ability.
Mobility
Differing mobile abilities can refer to those difficulties with, or inability to use, the hands, feet, arms, or legs. This may include tremors, muscle slowness, loss of fine motor control, or paralysis. Mobility differences can be caused by conditions such as Parkinson's Disease, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, or stroke.
Psychological
Psychological abilities can be affected by memory loss, reduced attention span, or difficulties regulating emotions. These differences may include difficulties concentrating, fatigue, short-term memory difficulties, heart palpitations, and others. Psychological differences can be caused by genetic disposition, psychological trauma, or substance abuse.
Neurological
Differences in neurological ability can be caused by restricted sensory perceptions, mental processes, or motor functions, including paralysis, tremors, memory loss, and cognitive malfunctions. Neurological diversity can be related to genetic disorders affecting the brain or nervous system such as muscular dystrophy, degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, or seizure disorders such as epilepsy.
Cognitive diversity can relate to memory loss, reduced attention span, restricted intellectual development, underdeveloped maturity and judgment, or limited problem-solving and logic skills. This diversity may look like forgetfulness, extreme emotional changes, intellectual underdevelopment, and inappropriate decisions.