Disabilities

On this page

Basics

• Summary
• Start Here

Learn More

• Related Issues

See, Play and Learn

• No links available

Research

• Statistics and Research
• Clinical Trials
• Journal Articles

Resources

• Find an Expert

For You

• Children

Summary

Disabilities make it harder to do normal daily activities. They may limit what you can do physically or mentally, or they can affect your senses. Disability doesn't mean unable, and it isn't a sickness. Most people with disabilities can - and do - work, play, learn, and enjoy full, healthy lives. Mobility aids and assistive devices can make daily tasks easier.

About one in every five people in the United States has a disability. Some people are born with one. Others have them as a result of an illness or injury. Some people develop them as they age. Almost all of us will have a disability at some point in our lives.

Department of Health and Human Services

Start Here

• Disability and Health Overview (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
• Disability and Health: Healthy Living (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish

Related Issues

• COVID-19: People with Certain Medical Conditions (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
• Disability and Health (World Health Organization) Also in Spanish
• Disability and Obesity (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
• Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA (Department of Justice) - Service animals
• Individuals with Disabilities (Department of Homeland Security) Also in Spanish
• Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions (Transportation Security Administration)

Statistics and Research

• Could Taking Statins Prevent Dementia, Disability? (National Institute on Aging)

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Disabled Persons (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Effects of Mindfulness-Based Elder Care (MBEC) on symptoms of depression and...
• Article: A system for monitoring the functional status of older adults in...
• Article: ATHLETIQUE: interest of an adapted physical activity program in patients with...
• Disabilities -- see more articles

Find an Expert

• AAAs (Area Agencies on Aging) & Title VI Aging Programs (USAging)

Children

• Caring for Siblings of Kids with Disabilities (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
• Helping Children with Disabilities Cope with Disaster and Traumatic Events (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
• Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish