What are physical or mobility impairments?
Physical or mobility impairments may be the result of spinal cord injury, accident, acquired disease such as polio, or developmental damage. Two forms of mobility impairment are paraplegia and quadriplegia. Both conditions result from injury or disease involving the spinal cord and resulting in muscle paralysis and sensory loss. Injury to the spinal cord may occur at different levels and this determines the severity of the condition; higher lesions are associated with more severe disability. The most common causes of injury are falls, diving and traffic accidents. Most people with these conditions experience problems with mobility and may use a wheelchair. Access issues and the design of workspace areas are key considerations for people with mobility impairments.
