Disability

The definition of the term "disability" is as defined in the Ontario Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, as follows:

"disability" means,

• (a) any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical co-ordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device.
  
• (b) a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability,
  
• (c) a learning diability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols of spoken language,
  
• (d) a mental disorder, or
  
• (e) an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997; ("handicap)"
  
• Additional examples of disabilities that may fall under each of these categories include:
  
• (b) pervasive developmental disorder, autism spectrum disorder, developmental delay;
  
• (c) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; learning disability; short-term memory loss; acquired brain injury;
  
• (d) schizophrenia; bipolar disorder; chronic depression;
  
• (e) chronic back pain, tendon/ligament damage; carpal tunnel syndrome;
  
• Chronic Medical conditions may also qualify as disabilities, or mental disorders as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV)
  

       Psychoeducational Assessment

A battery of tests, recognized as the standard for determining the existence of a learning disability. Includes tests of IQ, phonological processing, information processing, short and long term memory, etc. and examines discrepancies between test results. The Assessment also rules out other possible etiologies underlying the conditions.

      Accessibility

Changes/modifications/alterations that are made to the physical environment (doorways, desks) or non-physical environment (attitudes, policies, practices) that allow persons with disabilities to participate to an equivalent degree as their non-disabled peers, under the same circumstances. Examples may include electronic door openers, large print textbooks, extra time to complete activities, regualr breaks, assistance completing forms, alternative testing formats, tolerance/acceptance of certain behaviours, etc.     

      Barrier

Anything that prevents a person with a disability from fully participating in all aspects of society because of his or her disability, including a physical barrier, an architectural barrier, an information or communications barrier, an attitudinal barrier, a technological barrier, a policy or a practice. Examples may include narrow doorways, certain testing formats, time restrictions, lack of assistance when needed, etc.