All disabled people have the right to live independently and be included in the community, with access to mobility aids, personal assistance, and accessible environments. This page centers the expertise of physically disabled people navigating their conditions.
Physical disabilities affect movement, mobility, strength, coordination, or physical function. This includes people who use wheelchairs, walkers, canes, prosthetics, or other mobility aids — as well as those whose physical limitations may not require visible equipment.
Physical disability is not a single experience. Someone with paralysis from a spinal cord injury navigates different challenges than someone with a progressive condition like muscular dystrophy, or someone born with a limb difference. What physically disabled people share is expertise in adapting, problem-solving, and living in a world not designed for our bodies.
Acquired vs. Congenital: Some physical disabilities are present from birth (congenital), while others result from injury, illness, or aging (acquired). Neither is "better" or "worse" — they're different experiences with different adjustment processes.
Static vs. Progressive: Some conditions remain relatively stable over time, while others progress. Planning for the future looks different depending on your condition's trajectory.
Ambulatory vs. Non-ambulatory: Many wheelchair users can walk to some degree. "Ambulatory wheelchair user" describes people who walk sometimes and use a chair other times. Using a wheelchair isn't giving up — it's gaining freedom.
Visible vs. Less Visible: Not all physical disabilities are immediately apparent. Someone might have significant pain, fatigue, or limitations that aren't obvious to observers.
This is a growing list. Each condition links to its home page (when available) or provides an overview. Community members: contribute information about conditions not yet covered.
Injury to the spinal cord causing paralysis and/or loss of sensation. Level and completeness of injury affect what functions are impacted. Includes paraplegia (lower body) and quadriplegia/tetraplegia (all four limbs).
Typical specialists: Physiatrist (rehabilitation medicine), urologist, neurologist, rehabilitation team
Related pages: Mobility Aids, Home Modifications, Personal Care
A group of disorders affecting movement, muscle tone, and posture caused by damage to the developing brain. Highly variable — some people have mild symptoms while others have significant physical involvement. CP is not progressive but effects may change over time.
Typical specialists: Neurologist, physiatrist, orthopedic surgeon (for some), physical therapist, occupational therapist
Related pages: Mobility Aids, Communication Access & AAC
A group of genetic diseases causing progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. Includes Duchenne, Becker, limb-girdle, facioscapulohumeral, and others. Progression varies by type.
Typical specialists: Neurologist, pulmonologist (for respiratory involvement), cardiologist, geneticist, physical therapist
Related pages: Medical Equipment & AT, Home & Community Care
Congenital limb differences (born without or with different limbs) or acquired amputations. Prosthetic use is a personal choice — many people thrive without prosthetics.
Typical specialists: Prosthetist, physiatrist, physical therapist, occupational therapist
Related pages: Adaptive Driving, Adaptive Sports
An autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. Symptoms vary widely and may include fatigue, mobility issues, numbness, vision problems, and cognitive changes. Course varies from relapsing-remitting to progressive forms.
Typical specialists: Neurologist (often MS specialist), physiatrist, urologist, physical therapist
Related pages: Chronic Illness, Invisible Disabilities, Pain & Fatigue
A birth defect where the spine doesn't form completely. Effects range from mild to significant paralysis, depending on type and location. Often involves bladder/bowel management and may include hydrocephalus.
Typical specialists: Neurosurgeon, urologist, orthopedic surgeon, physiatrist
Related pages: Early Intervention, Transition to Adulthood
Includes rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and other conditions affecting joints. Often involves pain, stiffness, and progressive joint damage.
Typical specialists: Rheumatologist, orthopedic surgeon (for joint replacement), physical therapist
Related pages: Chronic Illness, Pain & Fatigue, Workplace Accommodations
New muscle weakness and fatigue occurring decades after initial polio infection. Affects polio survivors, typically 15-40 years after recovery.
Typical specialists: Physiatrist, neurologist, physical therapist
Physical effects from stroke, traumatic brain injury, or other brain injuries may include paralysis (often one-sided), spasticity, balance issues, and coordination problems.
Typical specialists: Neurologist, physiatrist, rehabilitation team
Related pages: Neurodivergence (for cognitive effects)
A group of connective tissue disorders affecting joints, skin, and blood vessels. Hypermobile EDS is most common. Can cause joint hypermobility, chronic pain, dislocations, and fatigue.
Typical specialists: Geneticist (for diagnosis), rheumatologist, cardiologist (for vascular type), physical therapist familiar with EDS
Related pages: Chronic Illness, Invisible Disabilities
Genetic condition causing fragile bones that break easily. Severity varies widely. Also called "brittle bone disease."
Typical specialists: Geneticist, orthopedic surgeon, endocrinologist
Includes achondroplasia and other conditions resulting in short stature. Little People of America and similar organizations are led by people with dwarfism.
Typical specialists: Geneticist, orthopedic surgeon (for complications), ENT (for some types)
This list is not exhaustive. Other physical disabilities include: Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, ALS/motor neuron diseases, Guillain-Barré syndrome, myasthenia gravis, peripheral neuropathies, and many more.
If your condition isn't listed: The general guidance on this page still applies. Consider contributing information about your condition.
Healthcare navigation:
Benefits:
Equipment and mobility aids:
Organizations (disabled-led):
Healthcare:
Benefits:
Organizations:
Healthcare:
Benefits:
Organizations:
Healthcare:
NDIS:
Organizations:
Frameworks vary by country, but EU disability strategy promotes:
Key country notes:
See EU Benefits and International Rights.
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) establishes international standards, though implementation varies dramatically.
What to look for in any country:
See International Benefits Overview and Other Countries Benefits.
Physiatrists (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation doctors) specialize in maximizing function and coordinating care for physical disabilities. They're often a good starting point.
Tips from the community:
Mobility aids, adaptive equipment, and durable medical equipment (DME) can be life-changing — and frustratingly difficult to obtain.
Common barriers:
Strategies:
Many physically disabled people use personal care attendants (PCAs), also called caregivers, home health aides, or personal assistants.
Key considerations:
Physically disabled people are experts at adapting. Common areas of adaptation include:
See Daily Living for more resources.
Many physical disabilities involve fatigue or limited energy. Pacing, planning, and prioritizing are skills physically disabled people develop.
See Pain & Fatigue.
Other physically disabled people understand what it's like to navigate inaccessible spaces, fight for equipment, manage attendant care, and live in bodies that work differently. This isn't something non-disabled friends, family, or even healthcare providers can fully understand.
See Community & Peer Support and Disability-Specific Peer Groups.
If you've recently acquired a physical disability or received a new diagnosis:
You don't have to have it all figured out. Take the time you need to process.
Connect with others who share your condition. Their practical knowledge is invaluable.
Seek out a good physiatrist or rehabilitation team if you haven't already.
Learn about your rights. You have legal protections for housing, employment, education, and public access.
Question "can't": Many things you might be told you "can't" do anymore have been figured out by disabled people before you. Seek them out.
Grief is normal. Adjusting to disability involves loss, even when it also involves gains. Both are true.
Disabled people live full lives. Disability isn't a tragedy — inaccessibility and discrimination are. There's a whole community and culture waiting for you.
Physical disability intersects with every other aspect of identity:
See Intersectionality section for more.
Physically disabled people have always been at the forefront of disability rights organizing:
This organizing continues today. Physically disabled people are fighting for: adequate Medicaid funding, freedom from institutions, accessible housing, affordable equipment, and full community inclusion.
See History of Disability Rights and Get Involved.