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.

An autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS controls movement and response to the senses of touch, vision, and hearing. Although the cause is not known for certain, the effects are a result of inflammation affecting the myelin sheath (which encases nerves), and the nerve cells. In addition to nerve damage, inflammation may leave multiple areas of scar tissue (sclerosis) on the coverings of the nerve cells resulting in residual effects.

Symptoms can vary from person to person and episode to episode. The impact can be mild to severe, the disease can progress slowly over a period of months or years or may worsen in a stepwise fashion with each relapse. It is possible for the disease to go into complete remission, or for symptoms to ease for periods of time.

Symptoms may include:

• Loss of control of bladder and bowel function.
• Fatigue.
• Pain.
• Spasticity – ranging from muscle tightness to muscle spasm.
• Speech and swallowing issues.
• Thinking and memory issues.
• Vision loss including blurring, loss of contrast, double vision, eye pain.