7 Types of disabilities you should be aware of

February 26, 2025 
Healthcaretoday, disability awareness, oku, persons with disabilities, Inclusive Society, hearing disability, visual disability, speech disability, physical disability, learning disabilities, mental health, Multiple Disabilities, Disability Rights, Disability Advocacy,
People with disabilities often experience significant health inequities, facing a higher risk of developing conditions such as depression, asthma, and diabetes.
Raising awareness about the various types of disabilities is crucial in reducing stigma and discrimination, while promoting acceptance and support for individuals with disabilities. Understanding the importance of awareness can shed light on several key issues:

Why is awareness important?
Discrimination
Negative attitudes toward disabilities can lead to discrimination, low expectations, and the marginalization of affected individuals.

Health inequities
People with disabilities often experience significant health inequities, facing a higher risk of developing conditions such as depression, asthma, and diabetes.

Barriers
Access to employment, education, and health services remains a challenge for many individuals with disabilities, further hindering their opportunities for success.

Inaccessible transportation
Many individuals with disabilities encounter difficulties in accessing reliable transportation, limiting their mobility and independence.

To further this understanding and combat stigma, it’s essential to recognize the various categories of disabilities as defined by the Malaysian government. Below are the types of disabilities recognized under the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2008.

General Information on Persons with Disabilities (PWD)

Definition of Disabled Persons or Orang Kurang Upaya (OKU)
According to the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2008, "PWD includes those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society."

Categories of PWD
The Department of Social Welfare recognizes seven categories of disabilities for registration purposes:

1.Hearing disability: Individuals who are unable to hear clearly in both ears without the use of a hearing aid or cannot hear at all, even with one. Hearing disabilities are classified into four levels:

Minimum: 15 - < 30 dB (Children), 20 - < 30 dB (Adult)
Medium: 30 - < 60 dB
Severe: 60 - < 90 dB
Profound: > 90 dB

2.Visually disabled
Individuals who are blind in both eyes, blind in one eye, or have limited vision in both eyes. Visual disabilities can be categorized as:

Low vision: Vision worse than 6/18 but equal to or better than 3/60, or a visual field of less than 20 degrees from fixation.

Blind: Vision less than 3/60 or a visual field of less than 10 degrees from fixation.

3.Speech disability
A permanent or incurable inability to speak that impairs proper communication. This condition must be assessed in children aged five years or older, and an Otorhinolaryngology Consultant should be consulted in cases of uncertainty.

4.Physical disability
A permanent inability of body parts affecting basic activities such as self-care, movement, and changing body position. Conditions may arise from trauma or diseases affecting various body systems, including:
  • Limb defects (congenital or acquired)
  • Spinal cord injury (if no return of function after six months)
  • Stroke (if no return of function after six months)
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Dwarfism (Achondroplasia) under 142 cm for males and under 138 cm for females
  • Cerebral palsy

5.Learning disabilities
Intellectual capabilities that do not align with biological age. This category includes:
  • Late global development
  • Down syndrome
  • Intellectual disabilities
  • Conditions affecting learning, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and specific learning difficulties (dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia).

6.Mental disability
Severe mental illnesses that impair an individual's ability to function in personal and community matters. This includes conditions like:
  • Organic mental disorder
  • Schizophrenia
  • Paranoia
  • Mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder)
  • Psychotic disorders and schizoaffective disorders.

7.Multiple disabilities
Refers to individuals having more than one type of disability, which cannot be appropriately classified within categories (i) to (vi).

Understanding the diverse categories of disabilities is crucial in fostering empathy and support for individuals with disabilities. By educating ourselves and challenging misconceptions, we can create a more inclusive society that values all individuals, regardless of their disabilities.

EXPLORE FURTHER

Does having a Persons with Disability (PWD) card make you invisible to the law?

​The legal implications of the OKU card

The urgent need for inclusivity in healthcare for persons with disabilities

​How technology and community awareness can transform lives