DISABILITY-NEEDS AND PROBLEMS

Disability is an important public health problem especially in developing

countries like India. The problem will increase in future because of increase
in trend of non-communicable diseases and change in age structure with an
increase in life expectancy. The issues are different in developed and
developing countries, and rehabilitation measures should be targeted
according the needs of the disabled with community participation.

PERSONAL NEEDS

COMMUNITY NEEDS

Studies have shown that individuals with disabilities are more likely than
people without disabilities to report:

Poorer overall health.

Less access to adequate health care.

Smoking and physical inactivity.

People with disabilities need health care and health programs for the same
reasons anyone else doesto stay well, active, and a part of the community.
Secondary Conditions

People with disabilities often are at greater risk for health problems that can
be prevented. As a result of having a specific type of disability, such as a
spinal cord injury, spina bifida, or multiple sclerosis, other physical or mental
health conditions can occur.
Some of these other health conditions are also called secondary conditions
and might include:
Bowel and Bladder
Some disabilities, such as spinal cord injuries, can affect how well a persons
bladder and bowel works.
Injury
Injuriesincluding unintentional injury, homicide, and suicideare the
leading cause of death for people 1 through 44 years of age. The
consequences of injuries can include physical, emotional, and financial
consequences that can affect the lives of individuals, their families, and
society.
Mental Health and Depression
Mental health is how we think, feel, and act as we cope with life. People with
disabilities report higher rates of stress and depression than people without
disabilities. There are different ways to treat depression. Exercise can be
effective for some people. Counseling or medication also might be needed.
Overweight and Obesity
Children and adults with disabilities are less likely to be of healthy weight
and more likely to be obese than children and adults without disabilities.
Overweight and obesity can have serious health consequences for all people.
Pressure Sores or Ulcers
Pressure ulcersalso known as bed sores, pressure sores, or decubitus ulcers
are wounds caused by constant pressure on the skin. They usually develop

on body parts such as the elbow, heel, hip, shoulder, back, and back of the
head.
People with disabilities who are bedridden or use a wheelchair are at risk for
developing pressure sores.
Other Concerns, Conditions, and Prevention
Many related health conditions and chronic diseases can be prevented.
Chronic diseases are among the most common and costly of all health
problems, even though many chronic diseases can be prevented. Some
chronic diseases can be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle, visiting a
health care provider for preventive care and routine screenings, and learning
how to manage health issues.
Arthritis
People with disabilities can be at greater risk of having arthritis.
Asthma
Asthma is a disease that affects the lungs and a leading cause of disability
among children.
Cancer
Getting screened for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers as
recommended helps find these diseases at an early, often highly treatable,
stage. Research shows that women with disabilities are less likely to be
screened for breast and cervical cancer within the recommended guidelines
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
It is four times more common among females than males. People of both
sexes and of every race and ethnicity and age (including adolescents) can
develop CFS.
Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disease for which care and treatment can help people
to live normal and productive lives. However, some people might be limited
in their everyday activities. People with diabetes
Flu
People with certain types of disability have a higher risk of getting flu-related
complications, such as pneumonia. Some physical disabilities can affect how
well their body fights off infection.
Heart Disease
It is also a leading cause of disability.

Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities are disorders that may affect a persons ability to
understand or use spoken or written language, do mathematical calculations,
coordinate movements, or direct attention. Learning disabilities can be
lifelong conditions and some people can have several overlapping learning
disabilities
Limb Loss
Limb loss can occur due to trauma, infection, diabetes, vascular disease,
cancer, or other diseases. Some children are born with limb loss or
differences. Limb loss more often is the resultrather than the causeof
other health problems. However, loss of a limb can result in decreased
physical activity, skin problems associated with using a prosthesis, and
phantom pain for the residual limb.
skin.
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders include problems such as back pain, joint injuries,
tendinitis, and repetitive strain. Musculoskeletal injuries can cause temporary

or even permanent disability, leaving some individuals unable to move

around easily. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are the leading cause
of disability for people during their working years.

Disabled people are affected by what is termed disability abuse, and such
activity has been cited as a hate crime. The abuse is not limited to those who
are visibly disabled such as wheelchair-users or physically deformed such as
those with a cleft lip but also those with learning disabilities such as dyslexia
and dysgraphia, and other disabilites, including Asperger's syndrome, Down
syndromeand developmental coordination disorder. In the latter case, this is
linked to a poor ability in physical education, and this behaviour can be
encouraged by the unthinking physical education teacher. Disabled girls and
women are particularly vulnerable to abuse
Bullying
Bullying is also a cause of disability and exacerbates existing disabilities.
Bullying can take occur in a variety of forms. They aren't always physical as
everybody tends to believe. Verbal bullying and nonverbal bullying are the
ones that occur very often. Catherine Thornberry and Karin Olson in The
Abuse of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities" argue how individuals
with disabilities are dehumanized by people who are supposed to help assist
them. Dehumanizing somebody means that you are taking away their
abilities and qualities that make them a person and lowering them to the
level of just an object or a thing. Catherine Thornberry and Karin Olson often
found that the caregivers or assistants are the ones who are unintentionally
bullying the disabled individuals. The caregivers look at the individuals at
slower standard than they do other people, which is discrimination
Sexual abuse
Disabled people are more vulnerable to sexual abuse than the general
population for numerous reasons. As they are less likely to report what has
happened to them, their rapists are able to get away with the abuse. Victims
often not taken seriously due to ableism which intersects with societal myths

about sexual violence, for example, that 'ugly' people aren't raped, since
society's beauty standard devalues disability.
According to Valenti-Hein & Schwartz, only 3% of sexual abuse cases
involving developmentally disabled people are ever reported, more than 90%
of developmentally disabled people will experience sexual abuse at some
point in their lives, and 49% will experience 10 or more abusive incidents
Sexual abuse is less likely to be reported by individuals with disabilities. The
people that surround these individuals are often found to be less likely to
report these cases of abuse. Society sees the disabled as weak and
vulnerable targets. Making it easy for the abuser to not feel guilty or to
blame themselves.