What is physical disability

What is physical disability

A physical disability affects how a person moves or controls their body. This can include how someone walks, uses their hands, keeps their balance or coordinates movement.

Around 1 in 6 Australians live with disability. For 3 in 4 people, their main condition is physical.¹ This makes physical disability the most common type of disability in Australia.

Physical disabilities can be present from birth, develop over time or happen after an injury or illness. Some are stable and do not change. Others may progress gradually or come and go.

What causes physical disability

Physical disabilities have many causes.

Some are genetic, meaning they are inherited or happen due to changes in genes. Examples include muscular dystrophy and cystic fibrosis.

Some happen before or during birth. Cerebral palsy occurs when the brain is injured during pregnancy, birth or shortly after.

Some result from injury. Spinal cord injuries can happen from accidents, falls or sport. Acquired brain injuries can result from trauma, stroke or lack of oxygen.

Some develop from illness. Multiple sclerosis affects the nervous system. Other conditions affect muscles, joints or bones.

Some relate to ageing. Conditions like arthritis and stroke become more common as people get older.

How physical disability affects daily life

Physical disabilities affect each person differently. The impact depends on the type of disability and which parts of the body are affected.

Some people need support with mobility. This might mean using a wheelchair, walker or other equipment. Others need help with fine motor tasks like writing or preparing food.

Some people experience fatigue, chronic pain or difficulties with breathing, speech or bladder and bowel function.

With the right support, therapy and equipment, people with physical disabilities live independently and participate fully in work, education and community life.

Physical disability examples

There are many types of physical disabilities. Each affects the body differently and requires different types of support. Here are some of the most common physical disabilities in Australia.

Cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability in childhood.² It happens when the brain is injured before, during or shortly after birth. This affects how the brain controls movement and posture.

In Australia, around 1 in 700 children are born with cerebral palsy. This rate has dropped by about 40% since the mid-1990s due to better care for mothers and newborns.³

Cerebral palsy affects each person differently. Some people have mild difficulties with movement. Others need more support with mobility, communication or daily activities.

Cerebral palsy does not get worse over time. With the right support and therapy, many people continue to develop new skills throughout their lives.

Find out more:

Myths about cerebral palsy

Spinal cord injury

A spinal cord injury happens when the spinal cord is damaged. This affects movement, feeling and body functions below the injury.

Around 20,800 Australians live with a spinal cord injury.⁴ For people under 65, most injuries (81%) result from falls, road accidents or sport. For people over 65, other causes like tumours are more common.⁴

The effects depend on where and how badly the spinal cord is damaged. Some people experience paraplegia, which affects the legs. Others experience quadriplegia, which affects the arms and legs.

Spinal cord injury can also affect bladder and bowel function, blood pressure and body temperature.

Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) happens when the immune system damages the protective covering around nerves. This disrupts messages between the brain and body.

More than 33,000 Australians live with MS.⁵ It is more common in southern states and affects three times more women than men. Most people are diagnosed between ages 20 and 40.

Symptoms vary widely. They can include fatigue, balance problems, muscle weakness, vision changes and numbness. MS progresses differently for each person.

Some people have episodes of symptoms followed by recovery. Others experience gradual changes over time. With modern treatments, many people with MS maintain good quality of life.

Find out more:

Myths about multiple sclerosis (MS)

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a condition that causes recurring seizures. Seizures happen when there is a sudden burst of electrical activity in the brain.

Around 270,000 Australians live with epilepsy, about 1% of the population.⁶ Up to 3.5% of Australians will experience epilepsy at some point.⁷ It can start at any age but is most common in children and people over 60.

There are more than 40 types of seizures. Some cause brief lapses in awareness. Others involve convulsions or changes in behaviour.

Around 70% of people can control their seizures with medication.⁶ For some people, epilepsy is not lifelong and seizures may stop over time.

Find out more:

Myths about epilepsy

Muscular dystrophy

Muscular dystrophy is a group of genetic conditions that cause muscles to weaken over time. There are more than 30 types, each with its own cause and progression.

Around 41,000 Australians live with muscular dystrophy or a similar condition.⁸ Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common type in children. It mainly affects boys, with symptoms appearing between ages 3 and 5.

Symptoms vary by type but can include difficulty walking, trouble breathing or swallowing, and joint stiffness. Some types appear in childhood. Others do not show until middle age or later.

With advances in care and treatment, people with muscular dystrophy are living longer than ever before.

Cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited condition that affects the lungs and digestive system. It causes the body to produce thick, sticky mucus that can block airways and trap bacteria.

Around 3,500 Australians live with cystic fibrosis.⁹ Every four days, a baby is born in Australia with CF. About 1 in 25 Australians carry the CF gene.¹⁰

More than half of Australians with CF are now adults. This reflects major improvements in treatment and care over recent decades.

Symptoms can include lung infections, breathing difficulties and digestive problems. Life expectancy has improved dramatically and is now estimated at over 50 years.⁹ New treatments are improving lung function and quality of life for many people.

Find out more:

Myths about cystic fibrosis

Acquired brain injury

An acquired brain injury (ABI) is damage to the brain that happens after birth. Causes include stroke, lack of oxygen, infection, alcohol or drug use, and head trauma.

Brain injuries affect each person differently. This depends on which part of the brain is damaged and how severely.

Common effects include difficulties with thinking, memory and concentration. Some people experience changes to behaviour, personality or emotions. Others have physical effects like weakness or coordination problems.

The effects can be temporary or permanent. With rehabilitation and support, many people make significant improvements over time.

Spina bifida

Spina bifida happens when the spine and spinal cord do not form properly during pregnancy. The spinal cord and nerves may be exposed rather than protected inside the spine.

Symptoms range from mild to severe. They can include weakness or paralysis in the legs, bladder and bowel difficulties, and learning differences. Some people also experience hydrocephalus, where fluid builds up in the brain.

The exact cause involves both genetic and environmental factors. Taking folate (folic acid) before and during early pregnancy greatly reduces the risk.

Dwarfism

Dwarfism, also called restricted growth or short stature, refers to a group of conditions that result in shorter than average height. It is generally defined as an adult height of 147cm (4 feet 10 inches) or less.

There are more than 300 different genetic or medical conditions that can cause dwarfism. The two main types are proportionate dwarfism, where the body is small but normally proportioned, and disproportionate dwarfism, where some body parts are smaller than others.

Dwarfism does not affect intelligence or life expectancy in most cases. Some people may experience joint problems, back pain or breathing difficulties depending on the type.

With the right support and adjustments to the environment, people with dwarfism live full and independent lives. This may include modifications to homes, vehicles and workplaces.

How Aruma supports people with physical disabilities

At Aruma, we believe everyone deserves support that fits their life. Our approach is guided by The Aruma Way, built around four goals.

• Your Way means we put you at the centre. We listen to what matters to you and support you to make your own choices.
• The Safe Way means we keep everyone safe from harm. Our team provides support safely and with respect for your dignity.
• The Right Way means we provide effective support, delivered properly. Our therapists and support workers have specialist skills in physical disability.
• Together means we work in partnership with you and your support network. We collaborate with your family and health professionals to keep your support consistent.

Whether you need help with daily activities, therapy, accommodation or employment, we are here to help you live your life your way.

Get in touch

---

References

All statistics and information on this page have been sourced from the following organisations:

1. _{Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. People with disability in Australia 2024. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia}
2. _{Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Neurological conditions in Australia: Cerebral palsy in Australia. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/neurological-conditions/cerebral-palsy-in-australia}
3. _{Smithers-Sheedy H, et al. Cerebral palsy in Australia: birth prevalence, 1995-2016, and differences by residential remoteness. Medical Journal of Australia. 2024;221(10):533-539. https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2024/221/10/cerebral-palsy-australia-birth-prevalence-1995-2016-and-differences-residential}
4. _{Spinal Cord Injuries Australia. Spinal cord injury statistics. https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/spinal-cord-injury-statistics/}
5. _{MS Australia. The rising prevalence of MS across Australia’s states and territories. 2024. https://www.msaustralia.org.au/news/the-rising-prevalence-of-ms-across-australia/}
6. _{Epilepsy Foundation. What is Epilepsy? https://epilepsyfoundation.org.au/understanding-epilepsy/about-epilepsy/what-is-epilepsy/}
7. _{Epilepsy Action Australia. Facts and Statistics. https://www.epilepsy.org.au/media/facts-and-statistics/}
8. _{Muscular Dystrophy Queensland. What is Muscular Dystrophy. https://mdqld.org.au/info-hub/muscular-dystrophy/}
9. _{Ahern S, et al. Survival of people with cystic fibrosis in Australia. Scientific Reports. 2022;12:19293. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-24374-4}
10. _{Better Health Channel. Cystic fibrosis (CF). https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/cystic-fibrosis-cf}