Sensorial disability

Sensorial disability e.g. blindness and deafness (reversible or irreversible) may result from:

• infections
• may be congenital
• malnutrition (lack of vitamin A)
• metabolic disorder (e.g. diabetes)
• injuries caused by accidents
• post traumatic stress (e.g. loss of speaking/understanding)
• cerebral injury
• neurological dysfunction, either linked to another form of disability or caused by post traumatic stress.

What do I need to know?

Medical and technical support as well as social assistance in every day activities and decisions may reduce the social limitations of any kind of sensorial disability to a minimum.

Blind and/or deaf people may have some hearing and visual capacities left. It is important to consider these capacities when organising the activities.

Who should I talk to?

• first the person him/herself
• parents, friends, teachers
• a physician and an expert in the field of special education should be consulted in order to know more about the cause and the impact of the disability.

What should be avoided?

• If the sensorial disability is caused by a metabolic disorder, the consent of a physician is needed before any physical training can begin.
• Physical stress increases blood pressure, which may be harmful to people with damaged eyes and/or reduced hearing capacities.