Physical and Mobility Disorders

  • A physical disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more basic physical activities in life (i.e., walking, climbing stairs, reaching, carrying, or lifting). These limitations hinder the person from performing tasks of daily living.
  • Physical disabilities are highly individualized.
  • Any person with significant and/or long-term mobility impairment may be at risk for high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, heart disease, and kidney problems.
  • Physical and mobility disorders are found in about 9.6% of the United States population, with 18.9 million having been reported as unable to carry out a major activity.
  • According to the Disability Statistics Center at the University of California San Francisco, there are 3.3 million people who use wheelchairs and 10.2 million who use canes, walkers, or crutches.