The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes the term “disability,” which refers to a massive spectrum of impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions. An impairment is classified as a problem in a body part or a body structure. An activity limitation is something that causes issues when undertaking a simple task or an action. Whereas participation restriction causes hurdles when doing routine everyday tasks. In this excerpt, we will discuss the different types of disability and understand the need for a counselling psychologist for persons with disability.

In India, more than thirty million people have a disability, or an impairment or limiting long-term disease. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 replaced the earlier legislation. It increased the number of recognised disabilities from seven to 21. We will look dive into the types of disability below. We will also explore the various options available to help people cope with and thereby better manage their condition, including disability counselling by the best counselling psychologists in India.

Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016

The Act replaces the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995. It fulfils the obligations to the United National Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), to which India is a signatory. The Act came into force in December 2016.

Salient features of the Act

Disabilities covered

• Disability has been defined based on an evolving and dynamic concept.
• The types of disability have been increased from existing 7 to 21, and the Central Government will have the power to add more types of disabilities. The 21 disabilities are as follows:-
  1. Blindness
  2. Low-vision
  3. Leprosy Cured persons
  4. Hearing Impairment (deaf and hard of hearing)
  5. Locomotor Disability
  6. Dwarfism
  7. Intellectual Disability
  8. Mental Illness
  9. Autism Spectrum Disorder
  10. Cerebral Palsy
  11. Muscular Dystrophy
  12. Chronic Neurological conditions
  13. Specific Learning Disabilities
  14. Multiple Sclerosis
  15. Speech and Language disability
  16. Thalassemia
  17. Haemophilia
  18. Sickle Cell disease
  19. Multiple Disabilities, including deaf and blindness
  20. Acid Attack victim
  21. Parkinson’s disease
• Persons with “benchmark disability” are certified to have at least 40 per cent of the disabilities specified above.

The salient features of the Act can be browsed upon over the web.

Believe it or not, but there is also support available for those caring for someone with a disability. Especially in the case of terrible limitations, it is significant that the caretaker gets a break. With centres all over the country, caretakers can go and meet other caretakers and spend some time with them too. Some charity organisations provide support for caretakers, as well as people with long-lasting disabilities.

Living for persons with disability can indeed be a long and arduous journey, both mentally and physically. It can be equally challenging for those who live with such people or even care for disabled people. At times, friends and family may find it extremely tough to come to terms with the condition and adapt to the lifestyle that continually throws new challenges. Well, you may discover disability counselling fruitful if you are suddenly classified as disabled, no matter what the reason. Similarly, if you have a life-threatening health condition, like cancer, it can provide most of the support you may need with time.

Counselling or visiting the best counselling psychologist in Chennai can help in addressing these issues, as well as helping you accept the situation, make peace with it and cope better with the disability. The sole aim of disability counselling is to foster a safe, comfortable and supportive personal space to discuss your concerns and wildest fears. An experienced professional will help you foresee ways of making these more manageable and turning them into a positive aspect instead.

1.Types of Disability – Physical

A physical disability can either temporarily or permanently affect an individual’s mobility or one’s physical capacity. Some of the limitations include muscular dystrophy, a spinal cord or brain injury, epilepsy, spina bifida, or cerebral palsy.

2. Types of Disability – Sensory

A sensory disability can influence an individual’s senses, such as touch, smell, taste, sight, hearing, and spatial awareness. For example, colour blindness, hearing loss, blindness and autism etc., fall under this category.

3.Types of Disability – Mental health

All those disabilities that attack an individual’s mental health include depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc. All these falls under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, as they can sharply affect how a person thinks and behaves. It can thereby restrict their ability to carry out menial tasks. In short, any person who has a mental illness diagnosed by a licensed mental health professional comes under the purview of this Act.

4. Types of Disability – Learning

A learning disability is a disorder that sharply affects an individual’s central nervous system, leading to difficulties in one’s learning process. People with a learning disability may need tremendous support to hone new skills and additional time to digest simple information. However, it doesn’t mean that the individual can not learn, it simply means they require a lot of patience, and they learn differently.

5. Types of Disability – Other chronic conditions

Under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, you are termed disabled if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial or a long-term effect on your capability to carry out routine daily activities.

For patients who present moderate depression and a chronic physical health issue, professionals and trained enthusiasts must choose high-intensity psychological interventions, such as individual CBT, group-based CBT, or behavioural couples therapy. They should also be informed about the resources, self-help groups and external support groups available.

Counselling For Disability with Praveen Saanker

Counselling services provided by Mr Praveen Saanker are part of our “not-for-profit” activities. We do not charge a consulting fee for these support initiatives since they aim to provide aid and relief for truly deserving individuals who otherwise may not have been able to afford these services.

Mr Praveen Saanker has set aside 12 hours of his professional time every week to provide coaching and counselling services. We provide appointments basis on the unique needs and circumstances of each individual. Please note that we do not have robust CRM platforms or customer support teams to provide instant answers to your queries or replies to your mails. Hence please bear with us for the time we take to get back to you.

What do we expect from you?

When you decide to get associated with us, we expect you to contribute to society in whatever capacity you can. This may mean you are undertaking voluntary work in your domain of expertise and provide empowerment and support to the needy. This can also mean you are giving help and assistance to people who desperately look forward to your aid when they have no one else who can help them. All we want you to do is give back to the universe and your fellow humans in whichever capacity you can.

We are not a registered charitable organisation, and hence we do not accept financial donations or support items in any form. You can get associated with anyone and choose the path you would like to follow in empowering your fellow human beings. But we would like to hear from you on how you intend to contribute back to society shortly when you choose to avail of our services.

How can you avail of our support?

If you believe you require Mr Praveen Saanker’s support and assistance, you can write to us at praveen@vedicology.com. Please be rest assured, we shall get back to you and be with you during your testing times in whatever capacity we can.

Mr Praveen, the founder of ‘Vedicology,’ is an internationally renowned scholar on Sanatana Dharma recognised for his knowledge and application of Indian Psychology and Spirituality. Praveen is an expert on combining various Indian and Western psychology traits, Vedic Scriptures, Indian Rites, Rituals, Customs & Traditions, Astrology, Vastu Shastra & Numerology. Aiming to be of the utmost help, Mr Praveen Saanker looks to understand your motivations and aspirations and then provide a solution accordingly. Praveen successfully integrates the principles of Vedas with modern Psychology and Business Management. Mr Praveen Saanker works with family business entrepreneurs and next-generation leaders, advising them on the family constitution and finding a subtle balance between family and business priorities.

Praveen Saanker Profile

Counselling Areas

1. Grief Counselling or Support for Bereavement
2. Counselling for Stress or Support for Stress Management
3. Counselling for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder or OCD
4. Low Self Esteem – Counselling Support
5. Self Confidence – Counselling Areas
6. Infertility Counselling – Support Areas
7. Counselling for HIV Patients
8. Gender dysphoria or Gender Identity Disorder – Support Areas
9. Counselling Support for Eating Disorders
10. Dissociative Disorders – Counselling Support
11. Counselling for Persons with Disability
12. Counselling for Depression
13. Child Counselling for Issues related to Children
14. Career Counselling Support
15. Counselling For Cancer Patients
16. Counselling Support for Victims of Bullying and People who Bully
17. Anxiety Issues Counselling Support
18. Anger Management – Counselling Support
19. Counselling Support for Abuse Victims
20. Miscarriage Induced Stress – Counselling Support
21. Passive Aggressive Behaviour – Counselling Support
22. Spiritual Counselling
23. Counselling for Sexuality Issues
24. Sexual Problems – Counselling Support
25. Self Harm – Counselling Support
26. Relationship Counselling
27. Pregnancy Counselling
28. Work Stress – Counselling Support