Defining Disability

Of course, there are as many kinds of disabilities as there are people, and each is unique to its individual. There are “visible” and “invisible” disabilities.

Examples of visible disabilities include a person who uses a wheelchair or a person who wears hearing aides. Examples of invisible disabilities include a person with a heart condition or a person with a learning disability.

According to the American With Disabilities Act (ADA), a person has a disability if they are “substantially” limited in their ability to engage in basic activities of daily life by a physical or mental impairment. Examples of activities of daily life include walking, learning, seeing, and working.

When working in an inclusive setting it is important to remember that each individual is different, and that the focus should always be on a student’s ability, and not their disability. Happenin’ Habitats provides activity adaptations to help you engage all students in fun, hands-on learning about the natural world.