Close

Acquired Disabilities

An ‘acquired’ disability is a disability that has developed during the person’s lifetime i.e. as a result of an accident or illness rather than a disability the person was born with. Acquired disabilities can be visible and invisible.

There is no definitive list of acquired disabilities but examples include:

Accident related injuries

  • Head trauma
  • Spinal injuries
  • Loss of vision
  • Loss of hearing
  • Injury / loss of limbs

Illness and health related

  • Post stroke disability
  • Post-traumatic stress
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Arthritis
  • Motor Neurone Disease
  • Mental Illness
  • Stress

According to the 2016 census, 70% of people with a disability aged 20-64 acquired their disability after the age of 16. Therefore many people are employed prior to acquiring a disability and it is important that they are helped to stay in employment.

Go to top