What is sensory disability

What is sensory disability

A sensory disability affects one or more of the senses. The most commonly affected senses are sight and hearing, though touch, taste, smell and spatial awareness can also be affected.

Around 95% of the information we receive about the world comes through our sight and hearing. When these senses are affected, a person may gather and process information differently.

Sensory disabilities can be present from birth or develop later in life. Some are caused by genetic factors, illness, injury or ageing. Many sensory disabilities can be supported with assistive technology, therapy and adjustments to the environment.

People with sensory disabilities develop their own ways of experiencing and interacting with the world. With appropriate support and adjustments, they participate fully in education, work and community life.

Sensory disability examples

There are many types of sensory disabilities. Each affects people differently and requires different types of support. Here are some common examples.

Autism

Autism is a lifelong developmental difference that affects how a person interacts with the world around them. You may also see it called ASD. The word “spectrum” reflects that autism affects each person differently.

Around 290,000 Australians (1.1%) are autistic, a 42% increase since 2018.¹ Autism prevalence is highest among children aged 5 to 14 years, where 4.3% are autistic.¹

Autism is more commonly diagnosed in males (1.6%) than females (0.7%), though this gap is narrowing as understanding of how autism presents in women and girls improves.¹

Autistic people may experience differences in social interaction and communication, have focused interests, and prefer routines.

Many autistic people also experience sensory sensitivities, which can include being sensitive to noise, light, touch, taste or smell. Some people may find certain sounds overwhelming, while others may seek out sensory experiences.

The causes of autism are not fully understood but likely involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Find out more:

Myths about autism

Four things that don’t cause autism

Questions you always wanted to ask a person with autism

Blindness and low vision

A person is considered legally blind when their vision is very limited, even with glasses. This includes people who can only see things very close to their face, or who can only see a small area in front of them.

A person has low vision when they have permanent vision loss that affects their daily life and cannot be fully corrected with glasses.

Over 13 million Australians have one or more chronic eye conditions.² More than 450,000 Australians are living with vision impairment or blindness. ³ Vision loss increases significantly with age, affecting around 9% of Australians aged 55 and over.⁴

Vision loss can result from many causes. These include eye injuries, genetic conditions, macular degeneration, diabetes, glaucoma and cataracts. Some conditions are present from birth, while others develop later in life. Around 90% of blindness and vision impairment in Australia is preventable or treatable if detected early.²

Many people with vision loss use assistive technology, guide dogs and environmental adjustments to live independently.

Hearing loss and deafness

Hearing loss is the partial or total inability to hear. When someone has very little or no hearing, the term “deaf” or “Deaf” may be used. The capital D in “Deaf” often refers to people who identify with Deaf culture and use Auslan (Australian Sign Language).

Around 2.4 million Australians have complete or partial deafness. Hearing loss becomes more common with age and is one of the most common chronic conditions among older Australians.⁵

Hearing loss can range from mild to profound. It can affect one or both ears. Causes include genetics, ageing, exposure to loud noise, ear infections, illness and injury.

Many people with hearing loss use hearing aids, cochlear implants or other assistive devices. Deaf people may communicate using Auslan, lip reading, written communication or a combination of methods.

Sensory processing differences

Sensory processing differences affect how a person receives and responds to sensory information. The brain may interpret everyday sensations differently, making some experiences overwhelming or hard to notice.

Sensory processing differences are common in autistic people and those with ADHD. They can affect one sense or several, including sight, sound, touch, taste, smell and movement.

Some people may find certain sounds, lights or textures overwhelming. Others may not notice sensations that other people find obvious. Many people experience a mix of both.

Find out more:

Facts about sensory hypersensitivity

How Aruma supports people with sensory 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 about how you experience the world.
• The Safe Way means we keep everyone safe from harm. Our team understands sensory needs and creates environments where you feel comfortable.
• The Right Way means we provide effective support, delivered properly. Our team is trained to understand sensory disabilities and work with you at your own pace.
• Together means we work in partnership with you and your support network. We collaborate with your family, health professionals and specialist services.

Whether you need help with daily activities, communication support, building independence or achieving your goals, we are here to help.

References

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

1. _{Australian Bureau of Statistics. Autism in Australia, 2022. https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/autism-australia-2022}
2. _{Australian Government Department of Health. Eye health and vision. https://www.health.gov.au/topics/eye-health-and-vision}
3. _{Centre for Eye Research Australia and Vision 2020 Australia. The National Eye Health Survey 2016. https://www.vision2020australia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/National-Eye-Health-Survey_Full-Report_FINAL.pdf}
4. _{Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Vision problems in older Australians. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/eye-health/vision-problems-in-older-australians/summary}
5. _{Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Australia’s health 2024. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-data/australias-health}