Every December 3, the world community commemorates International Day of Disabilities. This anniversary is intended to provide support for persons with disabilities as well as invite citizens of the world to know more about disabilities.
Do you know who can be called a person with a disability? People with disabilities are not only those who have physical limitations. Everyone who has difficulty interacting and participating fully and effectively in society for a long time can be referred to as a person with a disability.
Because of the limitations they have, we should provide the support and assistance they need. To provide the right support, let's get to know more about the following types of disabilities.
Physical disability
People with physical disabilities experience limitations due to disturbances in bodily functions. Defects can be present at birth or as a result of an accident, disease, or side effect of medical treatment. Some types include paralysis, loss of limbs due to amputation, and cerebral palsy .
Sensory disabilities
Sensory disability is a limitation of the function of the five senses. Included in this type of disability are speech, deaf, and blind disabilities.
To help people with visual disabilities, you need to learn specific ways to interact with them. Know the types of touch and tone of voice you can use to communicate. In addition, before helping them, you also need to ask first whether they really need your help or not.
To interact with people with speech, deaf or hard of hearing disabilities, you need expertise in using sign language. It's best if you speak at a slower tempo to make it easier to understand.
Mental disability
People with mental disabilities experience limitations due to disturbances in the mind or brain. Mental disabilities, including bipolar, anxiety disorders, depression and other mental disorders. Those with mental disabilities may experience difficulty concentrating, thinking, making decisions, and expressing their thoughts.
One way to deal with mental disabilities is not to place them in conditions that are prone to causing stress or pressure. In addition, when interacting with people with mental disabilities, you should use thorough explanations and choose words that are easy to understand. If necessary, you can provide a choice of ways of presenting information, some prefer to hear explanations directly and some find it easier to understand writing. Finally, you need patience and an open mind to understand the condition of people with mental disabilities.
Intellectual disability
Intellectual disability can be characterized by an IQ level below the average standard, difficulty processing information, and limitations in communicating, socializing, and sensitivity to the environment. Several types of intellectual disability are down syndrome and developmental delays.
If you want to help a family member or relative who has an intellectual disability, understand first that they need extra time, patience and attention from you. First of all, you need time to teach them to understand basic instructions. Give instructions in simple and understandable language.
Furthermore, try not to create pressure or stress for persons with disabilities in the environment. An environment that is too noisy or too busy can disturb their concentration so they are prone to causing stress.
Because it is difficult to process instructions and stimuli from outside themselves, people with disabilities are often unaware of the circumstances around them. For that, you need to help them realize what's going on. To explain it, use an easy-to-understand illustration so that they can easily remember it and know what action to take if they encounter a similar situation in the future.
So, those are the types of disabilities and ways you can do it if you have a disabled family member. Come on, always provide support for people with disabilities so they can also live a comfortable life. #LiveExcellently