Disability types

The nature and types of disabilities affecting the human beings such as physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional or developmental and the specific needs and access requirements of disabled people.

types of disability
disability and special needs
disability type
different forms of disability

knowledge

cross-sector

Disability types is an essential knowledge of the following occupations:

Home care aide: Home care aides provide personal assistance and promote autonomy, on a daily basis to individuals who are unable to take care of themselves due to illness, ageing or disability. They assist them with personal hygiene, feeding, communication or medication according to the health care professional’s instructions.
Special educational needs head teacher: Special educational needs head teachers manage the day-to-day activities of a special education school. They supervise and support staff, as well as research and introduce programs that provide the necessary assistance for students with physical, mental or learning disabilities. They may make decisions concerning admissions, are responsible for meeting curriculum standards and ensure the school meets the national education requirements set by law. Special educational needs head teachers also manage the school’s budget and are responsible for maximising the reception of subsidies and grants. They also review and adopt their policies in accordance to current research conducted in the special needs assessment field.
Music therapist: Music therapists use music-therapeutic interventions to treat patients with behavioural disorders and pathogenic conditions to prevent, mitigate or eliminate symptoms and to change behaviours and attitudes requiring treatment. They promote and maintain or restore the development, maturity and health of the patient/client by music-therapeutic interventions. Music therapy especially provides help for people with with emotional, somatic, intellectually or socially induced behavioural disorders and pathogenic conditions, such as psychoses (schizophrenic disorders, bipolar disorders) and personality development disorders.
 
Special educational needs teacher: Special educational needs teachers work with and teach children, young people, and adults with an intellectual or physical disability. They use a range of specialised concepts, strategies and tools to optimise learners’ communication, mobility, autonomy, and social integration. They select teaching methods and support resources to enable individual learners to maximise their potential for independent living.
Special educational needs coordinator: Special educational needs coordinators oversee programmes and activities that provide educational support to children with a variety of disabilities. They ensure they are up to date with the latest developments in the special needs research field with the objective of facilitating the special education processes needed to maximise the growth and learning potential of students with special learning needs, and advise the special education principal of these developments and new programme proposals.
Disability support worker: Disability support workers provide personal assistance and support to individuals of all ages with disability conditions, either intellectual or physical disabilities. They work with other health professionals to maximise individuals physical and mental well being. Their duties include bathing, lifting, moving, dressing or feeding people with disability.
Early years special educational needs teacher: Early years special educational needs teachers provide specially-designed instruction to students with a variety of disabilities on a kindergarten level and ensure they reach their learning potential. Some early years special educational needs teachers work with children who have mild to moderate disabilities, implementing a modified curriculum to fit each student’s specific needs. Other early years special educational needs teachers assist and instruct students with intellectual disabilities and autism, focusing on teaching them basic literacy and life skills. All teachers assess the students’ progress, taking into account their strengths and weaknesses, and communicate their findings to parents, counselors, administrators and other parties involved.
Rehabilitation support worker: Rehabilitation support workers provide counselling to individuals dealing with birth defects or with major consequences caused by diseases, accidents, and burnouts. They help them to cope with personal, social and vocational issues. They assess the personal needs of clients, develop rehabilitation plans, get involved in the training, and help people undergoing a rehabilitation plan with job placement.
Community development social worker: Community development social workers support individuals, families, and groups in socially or financially deprived areas. They provide leadership and bring local people together to make changes and tackle social inequality, helping people to develop the skills needed to eventually run their own community groups.

Disability types is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this knowledge may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

Primary school teaching assistant: Primary school teaching assistants provide instructional and practical support to primary school teachers. They reinforce instruction with students in need of extra attention and prepare the materials the teacher needs in class. They also perform clerical work, monitor the students’ learning progress and behaviour and supervise the students with and without the head teacher present.
Primary school teacher: Primary school teachers instruct students on a primary school level. They develop lesson plans in line with curriculum objectives for the variety of subjects they teach, including mathematics, languages, nature studies and music. They monitor the students’ learning development and evaluate their knowledge and skills on the subjects taught through tests. They build their course content on the students’ knowledge of previous learnings and encourage them to deepen their understanding on the subjects they are interested in. They use class resources and teaching methods to create an inspiring learning environment. Primary school teachers also contribute to school events and communicate with parents and administrative staff.
ICT teacher secondary school: ICT teachers at secondary schools provide education to students, commonly children and young adults, in a secondary school setting. They are usually subject teachers, specialised and instructing in their own field of study, ICT. They prepare lesson plans and materials, monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate the students’ knowledge and performance on the subject of ICT through assignments, tests and examinations.
Hospitality vocational teacher: Hospitality vocational teachers instruct students in their specialised field of study, hospitality, which is predominantly practical in nature. They provide theoretical instruction in service of the practical skills and techniques the students must subsequently master for a hospitality-related profession, such as hotel receptionist or housekeeper. Hospitality vocational teachers monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate their knowledge and performance on the subject of hospitality through assignments, tests and examinations.
History teacher secondary school: History teachers at secondary schools provide education to students, commonly children and young adults, in a secondary school setting. They are usually subject teachers, specialised and instructing in their own field of study, history. They prepare lesson plans and materials, monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate the students’ knowledge and performance on the subject of history through assignments, tests and examinations.
Classical languages teacher secondary school: Classical languages teachers at secondary schools provide education to students, commonly children and young adults, in a secondary school setting. They are usually subject teachers, specialised and instructing in their own field of study, classical languages. They prepare lesson plans and materials, monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate the students’ knowledge and performance on the subject of classical languages through assignments, tests and examinations.
Religious education teacher secondary school: Religious education teachers at secondary schools provide education to students, commonly children and young adults, in a secondary school setting. They are usually subject teachers, specialised and instructing in their own field of study, religion. They prepare lesson plans and materials, monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate the students’ knowledge and performance on the subject of religion through assignments, tests and examinations.
Gerontology social worker: Gerontology social workers provide assistance to elderly individuals and their families helping them to cope with their biopsychosocial needs. They help connecting the elderly with community resources by gathering information about the array of services available to them. Gerontology social workers assess their clients’ needs, functional capacity and health problems and liaise with medical professionals when necessary.
Steiner school teacher: Steiner school teachers educate students using approaches that reflect the (Waldorf) Steiner philosophy and principles. They focus on practical, hands-on activities in the curriculum and instruct their classes in a manner that emphasises the development of the students’ social, creative and artistic capacities. Steiner school teachers instruct students in similar subjects to the ones in standardised education, although using a different approach, and with the exception of a higher amount of classes focused on creative and artistic practice and theory. They use teaching techniques that support the (Waldorf) Steiner school philosophy, evaluate students’ learning progress and communicate with other school staff.
Business administration vocational teacher: Business administration vocational teachers for business administration instruct students in their specialised field of study, business administration, which is predominantly practical in nature. They provide theoretical instruction in service of the practical skills and techniques the students must subsequently master for a business administration-related profession, such as accountant or banker. Business administration vocational teachers monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate their knowledge and performance on the subject of business administration through assignments, tests and examinations.
Electricity and energy vocational teacher: Electricity and energy vocational teachers instruct students in their specialised field of study, electricity and energy, which is predominantly practical in nature. They provide theoretical instruction in service of the practical skills and techniques the students must subsequently master for a electricity and energy-related profession. Electricity and energy vocational teachers monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate their knowledge and performance on the subject of electricity and energy through assignments, tests and examinations.
Industrial arts vocational teacher: Industrial arts vocational teachers instruct students in their specialised field of study, industrial arts, which is predominantly practical in nature. They provide theoretical instruction in service of the practical skills and techniques the students must subsequently master for an industrial arts-related profession, working with wood and metal, such as carpenter or sheet metal worker. Industrial arts vocational teachers monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate their knowledge and performance on the subject of industrial arts through assignments, tests and examinations.
Social worker: Social workers are practice-based professionals who promote social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. They interact with individuals, families, groups, organisations and communities in order to provide various forms of therapy and counselling, group work, and community work. Social workers guide people to use services to claim benefits, access community resources, find jobs and training, obtain legal advice or deal with other local authority departments.
Beauty vocational teacher: Beauty vocational teachers instruct students in their specialised field of study, beauty, which is predominantly practical in nature. They provide theoretical instruction in service of the practical skills and techniques the students must subsequently master for a cosmetology-related profession, such as manicurist and make-up and hair designer. Beauty vocational teachers monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate their knowledge and performance on the subject of cosmetology through assignments, tests and examinations.
Travel and tourism vocational teacher: Travel and tourism vocational teachers instruct students in their specialised field of study, travel and tourism, which is predominantly practical in nature. They provide theoretical instruction in service of the practical skills and techniques the students must subsequently master for a travel and tourism-related profession. Travel and tourism vocational teachers monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate their knowledge and performance on the subject of travel and tourism through assignments, tests and examinations.
Physics teacher secondary school: Physics teachers at secondary schools provide education to students, commonly children and young adults, in a secondary school setting. They are usually subject teachers, specialised and instructing in their own field of study, physics. They prepare lesson plans and materials, monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate the students’ knowledge and performance on the subject of physics through assignments, tests and examinations.
Electronics and automation vocational teacher: Electronics and automation vocational teachers instruct students in their specialised field of study, electronics and automation, which is predominantly practical in nature. They provide theoretical instruction in service of the practical skills and techniques the students must subsequently master for an electronics and automation-related profession, such as electrician or technicians involved in automating production processes. Electronics and automation vocational teachers monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate their knowledge and performance on the subject of electronics and automation through assignments, tests and examinations.
Sign language teacher: Sign language school teachers educate non-age-specific students in sign language. They teach sign language to both students with or without special educational needs such as deafness. They organise their classes using a variety of lesson materials, work interactively with the group, and assess and evaluate their individual progress through assignments and examinations.
Music teacher secondary school: Music teachers at secondary schools provide education to students, commonly children and young adults, in a secondary school setting. They are usually subject teachers, specialised and instructing in their own field of study, music. They prepare lesson plans and materials, monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate the students’ knowledge and performance on the subject of music through assignments, tests and examinations.
Secondary school teacher: Secondary school teachers provide education to students, commonly children and young adults, in a secondary school setting. They are usually specialist subject teachers, who instruct in their own field of study. They prepare lesson plans and materials, monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary and evaluate their knowledge and performance through assignments, tests and examinations.
Medical laboratory technology vocational teacher: Medical laboratory technology vocational teachers technology instruct students in their specialised field of study, medical laboratory technology, which is predominantly practical in nature. They provide theoretical instruction in service of the practical skills and techniques the students must subsequently master for a medical laboratory technology-related profession. Medical laboratory technology vocational teachers monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate their knowledge and performance on the subject of medical laboratory technology through assignments, tests and examinations.
Montessori school teacher: Montessori school teachers educate students using approaches that reflect the Montessori philosophy and principles. They focus on constructivist and “learning through discovery” teaching models, through which they encourage students to learn from first-hand experience rather than through direct instruction and thus provide the students with a relatively high level of freedom. They adhere to a specific curriculum that respects the students’ natural, physical, social and psychological development. Montessori school teachers also teach classes with students differing up to three years in age in rather large groups, manage, and evaluate all the students separately according to the Montessori school philosophy.
Secondary school teaching assistant: Secondary school teaching assistants provide various support services to secondary school teachers such as instructional and practical support. They help with the preparation of lesson materials needed in class and reinforce instructions with students in need of extra attention. They also perform basic clerical duties, monitor the students’ learning progress and behaviour and supervise the students with and without the teacher present.
Business studies and economics teacher secondary school: Business studies and economics teachers at secondary schools provide education to students, commonly children and young adults, in a secondary school setting. They are usually subject teachers, specialised and instructing in their own field of study, business and economics. They prepare lesson plans and materials, monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate the students’ knowledge and performance on the subject of business and economics through assignments, tests and examinations.
Art teacher secondary school: Art teachers at secondary schools provide education to students, commonly children and young adults, in a secondary school setting. They are usually subject teachers, specialised and instructing in their own field of study, art. They prepare lesson plans and materials, monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate the students’ knowledge and performance on the subject of art through assignments, tests and examinations.
Vocational teacher: Vocational teachers instruct students in their specialised field of study, which is predominantly practical in nature. They provide theoretical instruction in service of the practical skills and techniques that the students must subsequently master in the specialised vocation of their choice and aid in the development of the according attitudes and values. Vocational teachers monitor the students progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate their knowledge and performance on the subject through assignments, tests and examinations.
Auxiliary nursing and midwifery vocational teacher: Auxiliary nursing and midwifery vocational teachers instruct students in their specialised field of study, auxiliary nursing and midwifery, which is predominantly practical in nature. They provide theoretical instruction in service of the practical skills and techniques the students must subsequently master. Auxiliary nursing and midwifery vocational teachers monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate their knowledge and performance on the subject of auxiliary nursing and midwifery through assignments, tests and examinations.
Nurse assistant: Nurse assistants provide basic patient care under direction of nursing staff. They perform duties such as feed, bathe, dress, groom, move patients or change linens and may transfer or transport patients.

Geography teacher secondary school: Geography teachers at secondary schools provide education to students, commonly children and young adults, in a secondary school setting. They are usually subject teachers, specialised and instructing in their own field of study, geography. They prepare lesson plans and materials, monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate the students’ knowledge and performance on the subject of geography through assignments, tests and examinations.
Freinet school teacher: Freinet school teachers educate students using approaches that reflect the Freinet philosophy and principles. They focus on enquiry-based, democracy-implementing and cooperative learning methods. They adhere to a specific curriculum that incorporates these learning methods through which students use trial and error practices in order to develop their own interests in a democratic, self-government context. Freinet school teachers also encourage students to practically create products and provide services in and outside of class, usually handcrafted or personally initiated, implementing the ‘pedagogy of work’ theory. They manage and evaluate all the students separately according to the Freinet school philosophy.
Biology teacher secondary school: Biology teachers at secondary schools provide education to students, commonly children and young adults, in a secondary school setting. They are usually subject teachers, specialised and instructing in their own field of study, biology. They prepare lesson plans and materials, monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate the students’ knowledge and performance on the subject of biology through assignments, tests and examinations.
Social care worker: Social care workers provide support and help people with care services. They help people to live full and valued lives in the community. They assist babies, young children, adolescents, adults and older adults.They attend to the psychological, social, emotional and physical needs of service users. They work in a large variety of settings with individuals, families, groups, organisations and communities.
Transport technology vocational teacher: Transport technology vocational teachers instruct students in their specialised field of study, transport technology, which is predominantly practical in nature. They provide theoretical instruction in service of the practical skills and techniques the students must subsequently master for a transport technology-related profession, such as automotive brake technician. Transport technology vocational teachers monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate their knowledge and performance on the subject of transport technology through assignments, tests and examinations.
Agriculture, forestry and fishery vocational teacher: Agriculture, forestry and fishery vocational teachers instruct students in their specialised field of study, agriculture, forestry and fishery, which is predominantly practical in nature. They provide theoretical instruction in service of the practical skills and techniques the students must subsequently master for an agriculture, forestry or fishery profession. Agriculture, forestry and fishery vocational teachers monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate their knowledge and performance on the subject of agriculture, forestry and fishery through assignments, tests and examinations.
Hairdressing vocational teacher: Hairdressing vocational teachers instruct students in their specialised field of study, hairdressing, which is predominantly practical in nature. They provide theoretical instruction in service of the practical skills and techniques the students must subsequently master. Hairdressing vocational teachers monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate their knowledge and performance on the subject of hairdressing through assignments, tests and examinations.
Business and marketing vocational teacher: Business and marketing vocational teachers instruct students in their specialised field of study, sales and marketing, which is predominantly practical in nature. They provide theoretical instruction in service of the practical skills and techniques the students must subsequently master for a sales and marketing-related profession. Business and marketing vocational teachers monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate their knowledge and performance on the subject of sales and marketing through assignments, tests and examinations.
Design and applied arts vocational teacher: Design and applied arts vocational teachers instruct students in their specialised field of study, applied arts and crafts, which is predominantly practical in nature. They provide theoretical instruction in service of the practical skills and techniques the students must subsequently master for an applied arts and crafts profession, such as graphic designer or interior designer. Design and applied arts vocational teachers monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate their knowledge and performance on the subject of applied arts and crafts through assignments, tests and examinations.
Physical education teacher secondary school: Physical education teachers at secondary schools provide education to students, commonly children and young adults, in a secondary school setting. They are usually subject teachers, specialised and instructing in their own field of study, physical education . They prepare lesson plans and materials, monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate the students’ knowledge and performance on the subject of physical education through practical, usually physical, tests and examinations.
Literature teacher secondary school: Literature teachers at secondary schools provide education to students, commonly children and young adults, in a secondary school setting. They are usually subject teachers, specialised and instructing in their own field of study, literature. They prepare lesson plans and materials, monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate the students’ knowledge and performance on the subject of literature through assignments, tests and examinations.
Audiologist: Audiologists assess, diagnose and treat patients ( children or adults) with audiological and vestibular disorders caused by infectious, genetic, traumatic or degenerative conditions, such as hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness, imbalance, hyperacusis and auditory processing difficulties. They can prescribe a hearing aid and have a role in assessing and managing patients who may benefit from cochlear implants. 
 
Healthcare assistant: Healthcare assistants work together in a team with registered nurses within the occupational fields of nursing, care and maintenance of people of all age-groups in all diverse acute care settings as well as in primary care environments.
Physical education vocational teacher: Physical education vocational teachers instruct students in their specialised field of study, physical education, which is predominantly practical in nature. They provide theoretical instruction in service of the practical skills and techniques the students must subsequently master for a physical education-related profession, such as health specialist or outdoor activities organiser. They induce students in the convenient social frameworks of their field of study and teach the appropriate attitudes and values. Physical education vocational teachers monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate their knowledge and performance on the subject of physical education through assignments, tests and examinations.
Philosophy teacher secondary school: Philosophy teachers at secondary schools provide education to students, commonly children and young adults, in a secondary school setting. They are usually subject teachers, specialised and instructing in their own field of study, philosophy. They prepare lesson plans and materials, monitor the students progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate the students knowledge and performance on the subject of phylosophy through practical, usually physical, tests and examinations.
Mathematics teacher secondary school: Mathematics teachers at secondary schools provide education to students, commonly children and young adults, in a secondary school setting. They are usually subject teachers, specialised and instructing in their own field of study, mathematics. They prepare lesson plans and materials, monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate the students’ knowledge and performance on the subject of mathematics through assignments, tests and examinations.
Drama teacher secondary school: Drama teachers at secondary schools provide education to students, commonly children and young adults, in a secondary school setting. They are usually subject teachers, specialised and instructing in their own field of study, drama. They prepare lesson plans and materials, monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate the students’ knowledge and performance on the subject of drama through assignments, tests and examinations.
Recreational therapist: Recreational therapists offer treatment to persons who have behavioural disorders or conditions. They use techniques and interventions such as art, music, animals and dance to promote, maintain and restore the development and health of the patient.
Social pedagogue: Social pedagogues provide care, support, and education to children and young persons with different backgrounds or capabilities. They develop educational processes for young persons to be in charge of their own experiences, using a multi-disciplinary approach set to the learning experience. Social pedagogues contribute to the individuals’ learning, welfare, and societal inclusion, and put an emphasis on building self-reliance.
Modern languages teacher secondary school: Modern languages teachers at secondary schools provide education to students, commonly children and young adults, in a secondary school setting. They are usually subject teachers, specialised and instructing in their own field of study, modern languages. They prepare lesson plans and materials, monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate the students’ knowledge and performance on the subject of modern languages through assignments, tests and examinations.
Chemistry teacher secondary school: Chemistry teachers at secondary schools provide education to students, commonly children and young adults, in a secondary school setting. They are usually subject teachers, specialised and instructing in their own field of study, chemistry. They prepare lesson plans and materials, monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate the students’ knowledge and performance on the subject of chemistry through assignments, tests and examinations.

References

1. Disability types – ESCO