About Disabilities

Overview

Disabilities are impairments that limit one or more routine activities of daily living:

• Nearly 49 million Americans are affected by disabilities
• 3.6 million, or 7%, American children between the ages of 5 and 15 have disabilities
• More than 2.8 million families are raising at least one child with a disability between the ages of 5 and 17, representing 1 out of every 26 American families or nearly 1 out of every 10 families raising children
• Due to advancements in medical technology individuals with disabilities are living longer and forming a larger portion of the population

Types Of Disabilities

Physical Disabilities

• Physical disabilities are those conditions that result in various levels of mobility impairment or limitations in the ability to perform basic physical activities
• Physical disabilities include cerebral palsy, neuromuscular diseases, spina bifida and traumatic brain injuries
• Physical disabilities may be the result of either acquired or congenital causes - existent at birth or resulting from accident or illness
• 14% of children with disabilities have a physical disability

Developmental Disabilities

• Developmental disabilities are those conditions that result in various levels of cognitive, behavioral, emotional or social impairment
• Developmental disabilities include such conditions as down syndrome, autism and various learning disabilities
• Developmental disabilities are generally existent from birth, though are sometimes not immediately diagnosed
• 62% of children with disabilities have a developmental disability

Sensory Disabilities

• Sensory disabilities are those conditions that result in the loss or partial loss of vision or hearing
• Sensory disabilities may be the result of either acquired or congenital causes - existent at birth or resulting from accident or illness
• 14% of children with disabilities have a sensory disability

Critical Areas Of Need

Physical Activity and Access to Recreation

• Disabilities often cause "a cycle of de-conditioning" in which physical functioning deteriorates leading to still lower activity levels
• Deprivation of sufficient activity and recreation often leads to the development of secondary disabilities and conditions
• Children deprived of activity have a higher incidence of obesity and other health complications
• Activity can help build skeletal muscle, maximize performance and agility and improve heart health
• Play is vital for normal growth, development and health for children of all abilities
• 10% of American children have a disability that prevents them from using or enjoying most public playgrounds with their peers

Rehabilitation

• Proper medical care and rehabilitation are imperative for children with disabilities to develop to their maximum potential

Developing Skills

• Social and self-help skills are critical for any child with disabilities to learn play and succeed
• Skills may be developed through alternative instructional models, cooperative learning and other methods of early inclusion

Accessing Technology

• Children with disabilities, particularly sensory disabilities, require access to adaptive technologies and techniques, such as Braille, to learn and succeed independently

Family and Community Support

• Early childhood special education and family support are crucial to the healthy and successful development of children with disabilities
• Parents of children with disabilities require resources to properly care for their child
• Families need community support to be able to participate in activities and lead the lifestyle desired for their child

Children with disabilities have amazing potential to reach their goals and succeed in life. CVS/pharmacy and the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust are proud to launch the CVS Caremark All Kids Can program and lend our support to this important issue, helping children with disabilities to learn, play and succeed in life.