Each person is unique, and each disability affects each person differently. The information in this section is a very simple overview of some common disabilities. It is aimed to provide a starting point for more research. Use the assessment tools to learn as much as you can about the individual. The person with the disability and/or their caregiver will understand their abilities better than anyone else.

Diabetic retinopathy is a serious eye disease resulting from changes in the blood vessels of the retina, primarily affecting individuals with diabetes.
The condition can manifest in various ways, including swelling and leakage of blood vessels or the growth of abnormal new vessels on the retina’s surface. Over time, these changes can lead to inflammation and scarring, compromising vision.

Diabetic retinopathy progresses through four stages, with vision problems often not becoming apparent until the disease has advanced. In its most severe form, proliferative retinopathy, fragile abnormal blood vessels develop and leak blood into the eye’s centre, causing blurred vision and potentially leading to blindness if left untreated.