Accessibility: Unlocking Our Potential

[John Locke]

*Our last post of the semester* focuses on cognitive disabilities and
successful people who live with them.

"Cognitive disabilities" describes certain limitations in mental
functioning and various skills such as communication, focus, and social
skills. There are a number of social, environmental, and physical causes
that can result in cognitive disabilities. The most common causes are brain
injuries or birth issues such as premature birth, genetic issues, and
chromosomal abnormalities.

*Most Common Cognitive Disabilities:*

*Dyslexia *is the most common form of language-based learning disability.
Approximately fifteen to twenty percent of the population has some form of
language-based learning disability. Dyslexia involves difficulty in
single-world decoding, often reflecting an insufficient phonological
processing ability. This lack of ability is something that is many times
unexpected in relation to the person's age and other cognitive and academic
abilities. The person may have trouble with different forms of language,
reading, and difficulty with spelling and writing.

*Dementia* is a serious loss of cognitive ability in a previously
unimpaired person, beyond what might be expected from normal aging. Both
dementia and intellectual disability are defined by neurologists as having
an IQ that is two standard deviations below median (below about 70, when
100 is the median); the difference between these two classifications for
intellectual disability is whether the low IQ represents a lifelong
condition (intellectual disability), or a condition that is acquired later
(dementia).

*ADHD* is a medical condition affecting a person's ability to focus, sit
still, and pay attention. They may have difficulty in focusing on tasks or
subjects, or act impulsively. They may also get into trouble. The condition
begins in childhood, but may not be diagnosed until the person reaches
adolescence or even adulthood. Persons with ADHD may have difficulty with
finishing assignments from school or tasks from home, jumping from one
activity to another. They may lose things or forget things like homework or
something they were supposed to do. Persons with ADHD may have trouble
organizing activities or tasks, and may interrupt other people. They may
fidget, feel restless, or talk excessively.

*Down syndrome* is a genetic disorder caused when abnormal cell division
results in an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21. This extra
genetic material causes the developmental changes and physical features of
Down syndrome. It varies in severity among individuals, causing lifelong
intellectual disability and developmental delays. It's the most common
genetic chromosomal disorder and cause of learning disabilities in
children. It also commonly causes other medical abnormalities, including
heart and gastrointestinal disorders.

*Parkinson’s disease* is another mental disorder that affects millions of
people worldwide. It's a cognitive disorder that affects the nerve cells in
the brain, causing symptoms such as slurred speech, lack of muscle
coordination, and difficulty in movement.

*We’re In This Together: Successful People Who Have Overcome Challenges*

*Michael J. Fox *(b. June 9,1961) This beloved actor known for his roles in
television and movies was diagnosed with early on-set Parkinson’s disease
in his early 30s. After years of denial in dealing with the diagnosis, he
finally became a voice for those affected by Parkinson’s and started the
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, which has raised
millions to help fund research.

*Simone Biles *(b. March 14,1997) This Olympic gold medalist is best known
for her award-winning gymnastics skills. She has an astounding 19 world
championships and Olympic gold medals. She also has ADHD. Bile’s ADHD
diagnosis was revealed after hackers attempted to discredit her Olympic
wins by revealing confidential medical records showing she takes Ritalin, a
common prescription medication for ADHD. Biles clapped back, tweeting
“having ADHD and taking medication for it is nothing to be ashamed of [and]
nothing that I’m afraid to let people know.”

*Karen Gaffney* (b. November 3, 1977) was the first person with Down
Syndrome to get a PhD. She is the president of a not-for-profit
organization that advocates for full inclusion in families, schools, the
workplace and the community for people with developmental disabilities. She
has also swam across the English channel, and two years ago she
accomplished what only a few people in the world have managed: she swam the
full length (more than nine miles) of Lake Tahoe.

*Steven Spielberg* (b. December 18, 1946) A legendary film director, Steven
Spielberg wasn’t diagnosed with dyslexia until he was in his 60s. School
administrators thought he was lazy. He was bullied by classmates, and his
troubles in school played a part in his career. Not only did making movies
give him a place to channel his energies, but feeling like an outsider
helped him co-write The Goonies, a hit movie about a quirky group of
friends who didn’t quite fit in at school. He said finding out as an adult
that he has dyslexia was like “the last puzzle piece to a great mystery
that I’ve kept to myself.”

*Rosa Parks *(February 4, 1913 – October 24, 2005) Best known for her
refusal to give up her seat and move to the back of the bus, Rosa Louise
McCauley Parks was a civil rights activist who gained recognition after her
arrest and contributions to the Montgomery bus boycott. Although she is
celebrated today for her courage to fight against injustice, her actions
led to her being fired and receiving numerous death threats over the years
that followed. Her unwavering courage helped spark the Civil Rights
Movement in the United States. She became one of the memorable faces of
civil disobedience. Despite the obstacles, she persevered and continued to
live a quiet life until she was diagnosed and passed from Alzheimer’s
disease at the age of 92.

*For more information, *please visit Deque University's Introductory Guide
to Understanding Cognitive Disabilities
<https://www.deque.com/blog/an-introductory-guide-to-understanding-cognitive-disabilities/#:~:text=Some%20types%20of%20cognitive%20disabilities,dyscalculia%2C%20intellectual%20and%20memory%20loss.&text=These%20types%20of%20cognitive%20disabilities,more%20types%20of%20cognitive%20disabilities.>
.

*Thank you* for reading our semi-monthly posts and participating in our
trivia contests. It has been our intention to raise awareness about the
importance of providing access to all our friends, neighbors, and
colleagues across campus, our community, and beyond. *Together, we can
unlock our potential.*
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