Disability is a broad and wide-ranging part of our lives. Some people are born with a disability; others acquire one or more during their lifetime — such as needing crutches for a broken leg or having a mental health crisis.
Disability is a Human Experience
Some disabilities are apparent to a casual observer, teacher, or employer; others are non-apparent unless disclosed, such as:
- Autism
- Mental health disorders
- Learning disabilities
Studies show many young people with disabilities experience high levels of bullying and stigma, including high levels of cyberbullying — one of the key reasons that students do not disclose their disabilities to institutions. Another key reason they don’t disclose? They don’t know their disability, such as ADHD, is a disability that can receive accommodations.
What are the effects of a lack of accommodations, accessibility, or inclusion?
Studies show disabled college students are less likely than their typical peers to persist in their studies, graduate with degrees, and achieve their career goals.
By the Numbers
Because of the lack of disclosure and awareness, the actual number of disabled college students is hard to determine.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates:
That CDC estimate means
4M
college students in the U.S. have a disability
(more than the population of the entire city of Los Angeles)
The total number of K-12 students in special education went from
3.6M
in the 1976-77 school year to almost
7.3M
in 2021-22
These students now make up
15
of the K-12 student population across the country, according to a recent report.
Language and Identity
This is a very complex topic.
Identity-first Language
For many people, especially in younger generations, disability is an identity, and they use identity-first language, which emphasizes embracing the disability.
Examples of identity-first language:
- Deaf people
- Disabled professionals
- Autistic community
person-first language
On the other hand, person-first language emphasizes the person, not the disability. Person-first language is common in research, reporting, and other more formal uses.
Examples of person-first language:
- A person who is blind
- A person who uses a wheelchair
- A student who is living with depression and anxiety
This language shows that you recognize the person as an individual, not as a label or a condition. Person-first language also avoids negative or outdated terms, such as “handicapped,” “crippled,” or “suffering from.” Instead, it uses neutral or positive terms, such as “accessible,” “independent,” or “living with.”
Language and identity around disability are nuanced and evolving. The National Disability Center uses both identity-first and person-first descriptors of disability, with special attention paid to personal preferences and activity audiences.