Intellectual disability can be defined as a significantly reduced ability to:
- understand new or complex information
- learn new skills
- cope independently (impaired social functioning).
Intellectual disability is usually identified during childhood (before 18 years of age) and has a lasting effect on development throughout a person's life. Intellectual disability affects some people more than others. Approximately 75 per cent of people with intellectual disability are only mildly affected with 25 per cent moderately, severely or profoundly affected (Better Health Channel 2007).
A person with intellectual disability may experience difficulties with communication, social skills, independent living and vocational skill development.
For more information on issues that affect the lives of people with intellectual disability visit the National Council on Intellectual Disability web site (please note that this link will take you to an external site in a new window).
Workplace adjustments and solutions
There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:
References
Better Health Channel 2007, Intellectual disability - facts and figures, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 26 February 2007, <http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Intellectual_disability_facts_and_figures?open >.
St George’s University of London 2007, What is Intellectual Disability?, Department of Health, London, viewed 1 March 2007, <http://www.intellectualdisability.info/home/what_is.htm >.
Links to specific types of intellectual disabilities