---
title: "Understanding Disabilities"
type: "wiki"
space: "Accessibility at Seneca"
author: "Petra Misaljevic"
created: 2020-08-07T15:07:25Z
updated: 2020-11-26T23:08:47Z
tags: ["accessibility", "understanding-disabilities"]
url: "https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/56/accessibility-at-seneca/wiki/view/667/understanding-disabilities"
---

# Understanding Disabilities

More than 1,300 Seneca employees and 8,200 Seneca students identify themselves as being a person with a disability.

The AODA defines a disability as:

1. any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical co-ordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device
2. a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability
3. a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language
4. a mental disorder
5. an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997

* * *

### Types of disabilities

**Physical** - wheelchair, crutches, assistive devices, reaching, pulling, pushing, strength

**Sensory** - hearing, speech, vision, smell \(scents\), taste \(bitter, sweet, sour, salty\), touch \(texture, temperature, pressure\)

**Intellectual** - Downs Syndrome

**Mental health** -  anxiety, mood, behavioural

**Learning** - dyslexia

**Medical** - diabetes, heart condition

**Other** - broken leg

^1^ *Workforce Survey Results* - February 2008
^2^ *2008 Student Satisfaction Survey*