Career Services Homepage 33. These disabilities may be congenital or they may be the result of an accident or illness. They may include conditions such as spinal cord injury, paralysis, cerebral palsy, severe forms of arthritis, polio, spina bifida, orthopedic injury, amputation, cardiac functions, cystic fibrosis, later stages of AIDS, stroke, and muscular dystrophy. The range of disabilities in this category is large. Functional abilities and limitations will vary widely, even within one disability group.
Some conditions are such that the person experiences pain, spasticity, or lack of coordination.
A number of students who use wheelchairs are able to stand but not walk. Some who use wheelchairs can walk with the aid of canes, crutches, braces, or walkers. Using a wheelchair may help these individuals conserve energy or move about more quickly. Some students who use wheelchairs have full use of their arms and hands, whereas others do not. Others may tire very easily.