What is a Physical Disability

Physical disability is defined as a limitation on a person’s physical functioning, mobility, dexterity or stamina. Although a physical disability substantially impacts an individual’s ability to do normal daily activities, it does not preclude quality of life. Many people with physical disabilities are employed, go to school, raise families and engage in other meaningful activities.

How do physical disabilities impact daily life?

Physical disability can impact a person’s ability to bathe, dress, prepare meals, do chores and other daily activities. It can affect speech and communication. But with proper support and services, a person with a physical disability’s life is as meaningful as anyone else’s.

The use of durable medical equipment, such as shower benches, grab bars, and wheelchairs, can mitigate physical disability. Smart technologies that allow appliances to be operated by voice have increased the ability of people with physical disabilities to control their environment. And a whole host of assistive technology exists to support people with physical disabilities in leading rich and fulfilling lives.

Many people with physical disabilities benefit from personal care attendants. These trained professionals are not nurses but are skilled at helping with daily routines to prepare for work, meals, recreation, and sleep.

Also, since the passage of civil rights laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, adaptations to transit, transportation, sidewalks, parks, education centers, workplaces, shopping centers and the arts can make them accessible to people with disabilities.

Examples of physical disabilities

Physical disability is often the result of a medical condition, such as muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, arthritis or epilepsy. Some disabilities are present at birth, such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida and partially formed/not fully functional limb or extremity. Physical disability also can result from an injury, such as loss/reduction of use of a limb or spinal cord injury.

United Spinal Association has focused on the quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries/disorders for over 75 years. The association advocates for all wheelchair users and those using assistive mobility devices – no matter the underlying cause.

Most common physical disabilities

Rheumatoid and osteoarthritis and related inflammatory conditions are the most common physical disabilities resulting from a medical condition post-birth. Cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability from childbirth. Spinal cord injury is the most common physical disability resulting from traumatic injury, though some SCIs can result from a medical condition.

Physical disability statistics

More than one in four people (27%) have some level of disability that impacts their daily lives, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This includes physical, visual, hearing and cognitive disabilities. That means there are roughly 90 million people in the United States who have a disability.

The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey estimates that at least 7% of Americans have a physical disability. U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics prove that people with physical disabilities are by far the most under- and unemployed of all marginalized groups in America.

Even with the boost in work-from-home technology during the COVID pandemic, people with physical disabilities were pushed into jobs below their ability, less than full-time work or unemployment – at numbers far lower than people who do not have a disability. This leads to poverty or barely enough income to pay for accessible housing, transportation, health care, personal care and food.

Physical disability and mental health  

Adults with physical disabilities report experiencing frequent mental distress almost five times as often as adults without disabilities, as researched and reported by the CDC. A CDC study found that about one-third of adults with physical disabilities experienced frequent mental distress, defined as 14 or more reported mentally unhealthy days in the past 30 days.

During the COVID pandemic, mental health issues rose in the disability community. Isolation, a reduction in PCA availability, and having an underlying condition that made the impact of COVID more dangerous contributed to depression, anxiety, and other issues.

Prevalent causes of mental health distress among people with physical disabilities include poor access to health care, isolation from the community, and poverty. Peer support groups may help break down isolation.

Physical disability resources

People with physical disabilities are served by dozens of nationwide nonprofit advocacy groups that raise funds for research, treatment, adaptive equipment, mobility devices, job training, educational opportunities, quality of life, political advocacy and other efforts that champion inclusion in all aspects of daily life. Longstanding nonprofits include, but are not limited to, United Spinal Association, United Cerebral Palsy, Arthritis Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Epilepsy Foundation and Spina Bifida Foundation.

Physical disability and physical/occupational therapy

Most people with physical disabilities can benefit from a licensed physical therapist. Hospitals have in-patient physical therapy for people recovering from surgery or treatment. Outpatient physical therapy clinics have significantly grown in the 21st century. A physician usually writes a prescription, and the PT analyzes X-rays and medical reports. The physician then interviews the person while creating a course of treatment.

PT clinics, often like fitness gymnasiums, are designed for a wide range of exercises, manual therapy, mechanical devices, and stations for heat, cold, electricity, sound waves, and radiation treatment. PTs also can help a person adjust to using a prosthesis or assistive mobility device. The goal is to minimize loss of mobility via specific treatment, fitness and wellness programs tailored to the person’s condition, age, goals, etc.

People with physical disabilities also benefit from an occupational therapist. This is similar, but instead of a fitness center, the clinic is set up like a workplace – an office, industrial or other setting. OTs retrain people with physical disabilities to return to their jobs via new approaches to doing physical labor or with assistive devices. OTs also train people with physical disabilities for an entirely new career, should their disability preclude their reassuming their prior job duties.

Many of United Spinal Association’s Rehabilitation & Therapeutic members provide PT, OT, and other invaluable services for people with physical disabilities.