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Disability---

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– Merriam-Webster Dictionary
A disability is any condition of the body or mind (impairment) that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities (activity limitation) and interact with the world around them (participation restrictions)…- CDC website
A disability is defined as a condition or function judged to be significantly impaired relative to the usual standard of an individual or group. The term is used to refer to individual functioning, including physical impairment, sensory impairment, cognitive impairment, intellectual impairment mental illness, and various types of chronic disease. Disability is conceptualized as being a multidimensional experience for the person involved.—Disabled World website

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Adaptation

the act or process to make fit (as for a new use) often by modification
adjustment to environmental conditions: such as

a: adjustment of a sense organ to the intensity or quality of stimulation
b: modification of an organism or its parts that makes it more fit for existence under the conditions of its environment : a heritable physical or behavioral trait that serves a specific function and improves an organism's fitness or survival

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

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Accomodation

the act of accommodating (to provide with something desired, or needed; to make room for; to give consideration to : to allow for; to make fit, suitable) someone or something : the state of being accommodated: such as

a: the providing of what is needed or desired for convenience changed his schedule for the accommodation of his clients
b: ADAPTATION, ADJUSTMENT an accommodation to temporary conditions
c: a reconciliation of differences : SETTLEMENT Negotiators felt that an accommodation with the union was possible.
d: the automatic adjustment of the eye for seeing at different distances effected chiefly by changes in the convexity of the crystalline lens also : the range over which such adjustment is possible

----Mirriam- Webster dictionary

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Advocacy

the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal– The Merriam- Webster Dictionary

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Invisible Disability

It is estimated that nearly 10% of the US population has some sort of an invisible disability. The “invisible” simply means that the disability is not in plain sight. Someone could be sitting next to you in the library and you would not realize they had vision loss until they put on their glasses to read. ----Scouterlife blog
Invisible Disability, or hidden disability, is an umbrella term that captures a whole spectrum of hidden disabilities or challenges that are primarily neurological in nature. Invisible disability, or hidden disability, are defined as disabilities that are not immediately apparent. Some people with visual or auditory disabilities who do not wear glasses or hearing aids, or discreet hearing aids, may not be obviously disabled. Some people who have vision loss may wear contacts. A sitting disability is another category of invisible impairments; sitting problems are usually caused by chronic back pain. Those with joint problems or chronic pain may not use mobility aids on some days, or at all. Although the disability creates a challenge for the person who has it, the reality of the disability can be difficult for others to recognize or acknowledge. Others may not understand the cause of the problem, if they cannot see evidence of it in a visible way.----Disabled World website

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People with Disabilities Agency example

Special Olympics-- provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. This gives them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

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How Dyslexics see text (sometimes)

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Accessibility at the Aquarium

The Virginia Aquarium is pleased to welcome all people of all ability levels to enjoy our exhibits and animals. We are proud to be certified as Sensory Inclusive by KultureCity, an organization dedicated to helping locations become more inclusive of guests with sensory processing disorders. Additionally, we are proud to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Service Animals--The Aquarium allows service animals, as defined in Title II of the ADA, which are trained to assist guests with disabilities. Service animals must remain under the control of the owner or handler at all times while in the Aquarium buildings and on Aquarium grounds. If a service animal is out of control or poses a direct threat to the health or safety of staff, guests, or animals in the Aquarium exhibits, we may require the service animal be removed from the premises. In that circumstance Aquarium staff will work with all guests with disabilities to provide alternative accommodations. Please note: Therapy or comfort animals are not permitted in Aquarium buildings.

Admission for Guests with Disabilities--The Aquarium complies with ADA regulations, which include a requirement that the Aquarium provide equal access to exhibits, programs, and services to individuals with disabilities. There are no special admission rates for guests with disabilities. Organizations that support people with disabilities may qualify for group rates if they arrange for a group visit in advance.

Caretaker Admissions--One caretaker is admitted at no charge if they are working with a guest who is visiting the Aquarium. A caretaker is defined as a required medical attendant without whom the guest could not tour the Aquarium. The disabled guest may request an additional caretaker be admitted at 50% of the regular admission.

Sensory Processing Disorders--The Virginia Aquarium is certified as Sensory Inclusive by KultureCity_®. Guests with sensory processing disorders may prepare for their visit by reviewing the social story, available on the KultureCity app. Once on-site, the Virginia Aquarium has quiet zones, designated headphone zones, and resources including a bag guests may check out upon their arrival. The bags include noise-cancelling headphones, fidget toys, and feelings thermometers.

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Myths and Misconceptions about People with Disabilities

1. People who use wheelchairs cannot move and must stay in their chairs.

False: Some people can walk, but their strength may be limited so they use a wheelchair to help them to travel longer distances. Also, some people who use wheelchairs may prefer to move to more comfortable chairs such as those at their desk or in a restaurant.

2. People with a hearing impairment cannot speak.

False: A hearing impairment does not affect the vocal cords, although it can affect a person’s ability to hear and monitor the sounds he or she makes. Some people who have hearing impairments make a choice not to use their voice while others choose to speak. The type and degree of hearing loss as well as the age of the person when his or her hearing was lost, also influences speech.

3. People with disabilities live very different lives than people without disabilities.

False: Overall, people with disabilities live the same as you and I. Although, some ways of doing things may be a little bit different depending on the type and severity of a person’s disability. For example, people with limited use of their arms and legs can drive, but their car will be fitted with hand controls for gas and brakes and possibly a special handle to grip the steering wheel.

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Myths and Misconceptions about People with Disabilities

4. People with disabilities can only work at special jobs made just for them.

False: As with all people, certain jobs may be better for some than for others. While there are obvious bad job matches, such as someone with a sight impairment who wants to be a bus driver or someone who has quadriplegia and wants to be a loader for a shipping company, people should not be denied employment opportunities based on the disability they have. Just because you can only think of one way to do something does not mean that other ways do not exist that are equally effective.

5. Most people who have cerebral palsy are less intelligent than the general population.

False: Cerebral Palsy (CP) does not itself affect a person’s intelligence. However, at times a person may have CP and another disability such as a Developmental Disability that affects the way his or her brain functions.

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Myths and Misconceptions about People with Disabilities

6. People who have sight impairments have excellent hearing.

False: A person’s vision, or lack of vision, does not affect his or her hearing. However, people who have sight impairments may depend more on their hearing and be more in tune to sounds than someone without a sight impairment.

7. People who have developmental disabilities who do not live at home live in institutions.

False: People with disabilities live in all sorts of settings: In their own apartments or houses, alone or with roommates, in group homes or other residential settings that may have up to 15 people living there with paid support staff, in community housing with multiple families and individuals, or in their family home with family members. Some people are still in institutions; however, efforts are underway across the country to move them into community settings.

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Five Professions That Help People With Disabilities

Physical Therapists—

Education: Most physical therapists possess a doctoral degree in physical therapy and are required to obtain a license in all 50 states.

Occupational Therapists—

Education: Most occupational therapists possess a master's degree in occupational therapy and are required to obtain a license in most states.

Speech-Language Pathologists—

Education: Most of these professionals possess a master's degree in speech-language pathology and are required to obtain a license in most states.

Clinical Social Workers—

Education: Clinical social workers must possess a master's degree in social work and are required to obtain a license in most states.

Special Education Teachers—

Education: Special education teachers must possess a bachelor's degree in special education and, if teaching in a public school, must possess a teaching certification.

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