Condition Physical disabilities

Condition Physical disabilities

What are physical disabilities?

A physical disability is when your movement or a bodily function is limited by a medical condition, and this limitation has an impact on your ability to do everyday activities. This may be a permanent or long-term issue.

Examples of physical disabilities include:

  • becoming very tired quickly (extreme fatigue)
  • limb differences (being born with a limb that hasn’t formed properly or at all, or having had a limb amputated)
  • movement problems
  • sensory problems, such as being blind or deaf

If you have a physical disability, you may need support to live independently, such as equipment, devices, and strategies that help you get around and perform tasks.

What causes physical disabilities?

A physical disability may be:

  • present from birth (congenital), due to a problem during development in the womb or during birth – examples include cerebral palsy and spina bifida
  • acquired, meaning it developed because of an illness, such as a stroke, or injury
  • hereditary (caused by a genetic problem) – inherited conditions may develop in the womb (for example, cystic fibrosis) or at a particular stage of life, such as in Huntington’s disease, which usually doesn’t show symptoms before the age of 30

Next steps

Step 1. Check out our external support

Browse our recommended external support resources to learn more about your condition and ways to manage it.
Step 2. Contact a Healthcare Professional

If you need further support or have concerns, a Healthcare Professional is here to help. Reach out for professional medical advice tailored to you.
Step 3. View our services

Discover services and support options available to help you with your health and wellbeing.

Specialist Wheelchair Service (East Berkshire)

  • Children & young people
  • Adults

Wheelchair assessments and equipment for mobility difficulties due to a long-term health condition or illness.

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Musculoskeletal Community Specialist Service (Berkshire West)

  • Adults

Assessments, diagnostics, and management of problems relating to peripheral joints, such as shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles.

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Community Physiotherapy Service (East Berkshire)

  • Adults

Support at home for housebound adults who are unable to attend clinic appointments, including a personalised rehabilitation plan.

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Community Nursing Service

  • Adults

Care at home for adults to avoid unnecessary trips to hospital.

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Physiotherapy Service for children and young people

  • Children & young people

Help for children and young people up to the age of 19 who have difficulties with gross motor skills, including posture and mobility.

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Community Children’s Nursing Service

  • Children & young people

Care, support, and advice for children and young people with complex needs at home or school to reduce hospital visits.

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External support

Further information on the NHS UK website

Acas – Definition of disability

Information about the definition of disability in UK law

Age UK

Advice and services for older people

British Red Cross

Wheelchair hire service

Citizens Advice

Impartial advice on housing, benefits, debt, law, and other issues 

GOV.UK - Disabled people

Information about Universal Credit (benefits), rights, Blue Badges, and other relevant matters 

IPS Grow 

Support for people accessing health services to find work

Living Made Easy (Shaw Trust)

Advice and information on making life with a disability easier (formerly Disabled Living Foundation) 

Scope 

Advice and support for people living with a disability 

ShopMobility UK

A network of centres which hire out mobility equipment to the public 

Which? - Mobility and disability aids 

Reviews and buying guides for mobility and disability aids