Definition
A handicapped person is defined as someone who possesses one or more physical or mental disabilities that result in functional limitations. These limitations can significantly challenge their ability to gain and retain employment and can interfere substantially with major life activities, which may include tasks such as walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, and more.
Examples
- Physical Disabilities: This includes, but is not limited to, blindness, deafness, mobility impairments (e.g., paraplegia), cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy.
- Mental Disabilities: Such as autism, schizophrenia, intellectual disabilities, ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What types of disabilities are considered under the definition of a handicapped person?
Disabilities can be physical or mental and must result in significant limitations on employment or major life activities. Examples include blindness, deafness, mobility impairments, cerebral palsy, autism, and schizophrenia.
Can temporary injuries qualify someone as a handicapped person?
Generally, temporary injuries do not qualify unless they substantially limit one or more major life activities for an extended duration.
What are major life activities as defined under this term?
Major life activities include tasks such as walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.
How does being a handicapped person affect employment opportunities?
Handicapped persons may face challenges in finding and retaining employment due to their disabilities. However, laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) require employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified handicapped candidates.
Do all handicapped persons require special accommodations?
Not all handicapped persons may require accommodations, but they are entitled to reasonable modifications that would help them perform their job duties effectively.
Related Terms
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): A civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities.
- Accessibility: The design of products, devices, services, or environments for people with disabilities.
- Reasonable Accommodation: Adjustments or modifications provided by an employer to enable people with disabilities to enjoy equal employment opportunities.
Online References
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Overview
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Disability and Health
- World Health Organization (WHO) - Disabilities
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “The Americans with Disabilities Act: A Comprehensive Guide to Title I, II, and III” by William D. Goren
- “Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century” edited by Alice Wong
- “No Pity: People with Disabilities Forging a New Civil Rights Movement” by Joseph P. Shapiro
Fundamentals of Handicapped Persons: Disability Understanding Quiz
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