Disability is much easier to think of as something that affects other people than something that could easily affect you at any moment and is highly likely to affect you at some time in your life. The truth is that anyone can become disabled, suddenly or gradually. Right now, one in five American adults has a disability, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Understanding Disability Today
The CDC says that the most common types of disabilities are as follows:
- Limited mobility
- Difficulty with thinking or memory
- Problems with independent living
- Impaired vision
- Difficulty with self-care
Paradoxical as it may seem, advances in medicine have contributed to the high rate of disability we see today. More people are living longer, and suffering the chronic diseases and disabilities that often come with old age. More soldiers and accident victims are surviving their injuries, but don’t fully recover.
Hopefully, in the very near future, we will be able to look back on today as a transitional period. Even today we see medicine and technology making great progress toward restoring function to those who have become disabled.
Help if You Are Living with Disability
Disabilities are acquired in many ways. Some are born with disabilities. Many develop a disability as a result of age or illness. And far too many are disabled suddenly as a result of an accident or assault. No matter how you or your loved one became disabled, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects you in a very wide range of areas including:
- Housing and hiring discrimination
- Accessibility requirements
- Your right to be accompanied by a service animal
Beyond accommodations and your right to be free from discrimination, there are very real financial hardships that come with disabilities. Depending on the nature of your disability and how you became disabled, you may be able to find relief through:
- Social Security Disability
- Workers’ Compensation
- A personal injury lawsuit
Whether you are facing disability discrimination or seeking financial compensation for the injuries that caused your disability, AccidentAttorneys.org can connect you with a highly credentialed attorney who will fight for your legal rights.
About Sandra Dalton
