When someone is disabled.
What does being 'disabled' mean?
Being disabled means not being able to do things that other people of the same age can do.
A girl who cannot hear what the teacher is saying because she has a hearing loss, is disabled. A boy who cannot move his legs because of an injury, (his legs are paralysed), is also disabled.
In these examples, although they are both disabled, their disabilities will have very different effects on their lives.
A hearing aid or sign language may help the girl with a hearing loss.
A boy with paralysed legs, might only be able to move around in a wheelchair. He may not be able to play some sports, but he might be just as good at doing spelling tests as you are, and maybe he plays wheelchair sports.
There are lots of different types of disability.
Examples of these are: learning difficulties, blindness, Down's syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
People who have a disability can do most of the things anyone else can do, it may just be harder and they may need help to do them. Some people with severe disabilities, will need other people to look after them all the time.
When someone is disabled they still have the same thoughts and feelings that other people do and need friendships and connection with others just as you do. Be inclusive, show kindness and respect.