Language selection

Search


Mobility, Flexibility, and Body Structure Disabilities

Mobility impairment includes people with upper or lower limb loss or disability, challenges with manual dexterity, disability in co-ordination with different organs of the body, or with a broken skeletal structure. Physical and mobility disabilities restrict the ability of the body or one or more limbs to move independently and purposefully.

Subjects and tags

This section is for development only and will not be visible on the live site.

subject:

  • accessibilityFundamentals

tags:

  • aboutDisabilities

Important information

  • You are currently exploring a website that has not been officially launched yet. If you wish to provide feedback, please don't hesitate to checkout our contact us page.

    To view the current version of this website, please visit a11y.canada.ca.

Manual Dexterity/Fine Motor Control

Definition:
Fine motor skills are the intricate and detailed movements of the hand and wrist needed to manipulate, control and use objects, produce neat, legible handwriting, and dress independently. Disability may be temporary, recurring, or permanent.
Characteristics:

Fine motor control is a person’s ability to use precision, coordination, dexterity, strength, control endurance and sensory awareness. Some examples include

  • difficulty in manipulating or griping small objects or tools, such as a pencil, with one or both hands
  • Difficulty writing small consistent letters
  • difficulty using a keyboard,
  • inability to do up buttons or zippers (strength)
  • Lack of sensory feedback like touch and pressure

Ambulation

Definition:
Ambulation is defined as the ability to walk from place to place independently with or without an assistive device.
Characteristics:
Impairments to a person’s ability to walk may be caused by congenital conditions, disease, or injury, such as cerebral palsy, neuromuscular disorders, amputation, arthritis, and back injuries.

Muscle Fatigue

Definition:
Muscle fatigue is a common non-specific symptom experienced by many people and is associated with many health conditions. It is often defined as an overwhelming sense of tiredness, lack of energy and feeling of exhaustion, and it relates to a difficulty in performing voluntary tasks.
Characteristics:
Muscle fatigue can occur anywhere on the body. The first symptom is usually muscle weakness. Other sign and symptoms include soreness, localized pain, shortness of breath, muscle twitching, shaking, a weak grip, muscle cramps.

Body Size or Shape

Definition:
There are different types of disorders that can impact a person's physical stature, proportions, or shape, resulting in disabilities related to their body size or shape. Examples include acromegaly, dwarfism, rheumatoid arthritis, and obesity.
Characteristics:
Characteristics depend on the cause of disability. Orthopedic conditions, such as arthritis and joint mobility, are often associated with the underlying cause. Other examples of co-occurring conditions include muscle weakness and fatigue, hearing loss, vision loss, cardiopulmonary disorders, and diabetes.

Adaptive Technologies and Adaptive Strategies

Here are some commonly used products and strategies:

Date modified: