- Mobility impairments
- Visual impairments
- Hearing impairments

Categories of physical/sensory disabilities

Physical and sensory disabilities are defined by physical or sensory impairments to a person's functioning.

Georgetown University

Pepperdine University

While not all disabilities can fit neatly into one category, these categories generally encapsulate the types of disabilities through the Impairment Dimension.

-	Cognitive / Intellectual 
-	Chronic Illnesses 
-	Developmental
-	Mental 
-	Physical / Sensory
-	Speech / Communication


Types of Disabilities

* Out-dated langage: Handicapped, Physically Challenged, “Special,” Deformed, Cripple, Gimp, Spastic, Spaz, Wheelchairbound, Lame


* Respectful language: Wheelchair user, Person with a mobility or physical disability 



Appropriate Terms for Mobility/Physical Disability

Wikipedia

Abnormalities in the development of the nervous system that are influenced by both our genes and the environment. Developmental disorders commonly manifest as behavioral abnormalities.

Developmental Disorders

Physical/Sensory disabilities

Developmental or acquired impairments to an individual’s speech, language, or hearing. Some individuals may face impairments in more than one area.

Speech/Communication Disabilities

Also called psychological disorders, these are disorders rooted in mental thought patterns that impair the person's functioning, with specific disorders having their own disgnostic criteria. 

Mental Disorders/Mental Illnesses

Chronic illnesses (also referred to as chronic disease or condition) is a condition that lasts for a year or more and requires frequent medical care. Chronic conditions can effect or limit the activities in one's daily life.

Chronic Illness

These include a variety of disabilities that affect cognitive/intellectual ability and functioning.

Cognitive/Intellectual disabilities

Invisible disability is an umbrella term for disabilities that cannot be seen by others and interfere with day-to-day functioning, but do not have a physical manifestation. This "unseen" characteristic is central to the challenges these individuals face in various environments. 

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