Below are brief descriptions of other causes of mobility impairments. Amputation is the removal of one or more limbs, sometimes caused by trauma or another condition. Arthritis is the inflammation of the body's joints, causing pain, swelling, and difficulty in body movement. Back disorders can limit a student's ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, or carry objects. They include, but are not limited to, degenerative disk disease, scoliosis, and herniated disks.
Cerebral palsy is the result of damage to the brain prior to or shortly after birth.
It can prevent or inhibit walking and cause a lack of muscle coordination, spasms, and speech difficulty. Neuromuscular disorders include a variety of disorders, such as muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and ataxia, that result in degeneration and atrophy of muscle or nerve tissues. Dependency and helplessness are not characteristics of physical disability. When talking with a wheelchair user, attempt to converse at eye level as opposed to standing and looking down. If a student has a communication impairment as well as a mobility impairment, take time to understand the person.