Where Does the "14 Disabilities" List Come From?
The list of 14 disability categories originates from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) — a United States federal law governing special education services. Despite being a US framework, it is widely referenced globally because it provides one of the clearest structured breakdowns of disability types in plain language.
In Australia, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) uses its own eligibility criteria rather than the IDEA list. However, many of the 14 categories — including autism, intellectual disability, physical impairments, and sensory impairments — closely align with disability types the NDIS funds support for.
Understanding these categories can help participants, families, and carers better articulate the nature of a disability when seeking NDIS access or additional funding.
The 14 Disability Categories
Each category below represents a distinct type of disability, with a plain-language explanation of what it means in practice.
Autism
A developmental condition affecting communication and social interaction, typically appearing before age three. Associated traits include repetitive activities and routines, resistance to environmental change, and unusual responses to sensory experiences. Autism exists on a spectrum — support needs vary significantly from person to person.
Deaf-blindness
Simultaneous hearing and visual impairments that together create communication and daily-living needs so complex they cannot be met through programs designed to address either disability alone. Specialist combined-sensory support is required.
Deafness
A hearing impairment so significant that processing linguistic information through hearing — with or without amplification — is not possible. Communication may rely on sign language, lip-reading, or assistive devices. Distinguished from hearing impairment by its severity.
Emotional Disturbance
A condition involving persistent emotional or behavioural characteristics that significantly affect daily functioning. These may include an inability to learn unexplained by other factors, difficulty maintaining relationships, inappropriate behaviours or feelings, persistent unhappiness or depression, or physical symptoms and fears. Includes schizophrenia. Maps broadly onto psychosocial disability in the NDIS framework.
Hearing Impairment
Permanent or fluctuating hearing loss that affects a person's ability to access information or participate in daily activities, but does not meet the threshold for deafness. Includes a wide range of hearing loss severity and may be managed with hearing aids or other assistive technology.
Intellectual Disability
Significantly below-average intellectual functioning, accompanied by deficits in adaptive behaviour — such as communication, self-care, and social skills — that manifest during the developmental period. Includes difficulties with reasoning, problem-solving, planning, and everyday independence. Formerly referred to as 'mental retardation'; terminology updated in 2010.
Multiple Disabilities
The simultaneous presence of two or more disabilities — such as intellectual disability combined with blindness or physical impairment — that together create educational and daily-living needs too complex for programs designed for a single disability. Does not include deaf-blindness, which is its own category.
Orthopedic Impairment
A severe physical impairment of the musculoskeletal system caused by congenital anomalies, disease, or injury. Includes conditions such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, limb differences, amputations, and fractures or burns resulting in contractures. Physical accessibility and mobility support are common needs.
Other Health Impairment
Chronic or acute health conditions that limit strength, vitality, or alertness and affect a person's ability to participate in daily life. Includes ADHD, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, heart conditions, hemophilia, leukemia, sickle cell anaemia, Tourette syndrome, and lead poisoning, among others.
Specific Learning Disability
A disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or using language — spoken or written. May manifest as difficulty with listening, thinking, speaking, reading, writing, spelling, or mathematics. Includes dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia. Does not include learning difficulties primarily caused by sensory disability, intellectual disability, emotional disturbance, or environmental disadvantage.
Speech or Language Impairment
A communication disorder including stuttering, impaired articulation, language impairment, or voice impairment that significantly affects a person's ability to communicate effectively in daily life and social interactions.
Traumatic Brain Injury
An acquired brain injury caused by an external physical force — such as a fall, accident, or assault — resulting in functional impairment or psychosocial disability. May affect cognition, language, memory, attention, reasoning, sensory processing, and speech. Does not include congenital or degenerative brain conditions, or injuries sustained during birth.
Visual Impairment (including Blindness)
An impairment in vision that — even with correction — significantly affects daily functioning. Ranges from low vision through to total blindness. May require orientation and mobility training, assistive technology, and daily living support. Both partial sight and blindness fall within this category.
Developmental Delay
Significant delays in one or more areas of early development — including cognitive, physical, communication, social-emotional, or adaptive development. Typically identified in children from birth up to age nine. Early intervention and support can make a significant difference in long-term outcomes.
How Do These Categories Relate to the NDIS in Australia?
The NDIS does not use the 14 IDEA categories directly, but its eligibility framework covers the same broad territory. To access the NDIS, a person must:
- ✓Be under 65 years of age at the time of first access
- ✓Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or Protected Special Category Visa holder
- ✓Have a permanent disability that substantially reduces their ability to participate in everyday activities
Disabilities that align most directly with NDIS funding include autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, acquired brain injury, physical disability, hearing and visual impairment, and psychosocial disability (which overlaps with the emotional disturbance and other health impairment categories).
If you are unsure whether your disability or your child's disability qualifies for NDIS funding, our team at Help Alliance can walk you through the access process and help you gather the supporting evidence you need.
How Help Alliance Supports People Across These Disability Types
Personalised Support Plans
Every participant is different. We build support plans tailored to your specific disability, goals, and daily life — whether that's a physical, sensory, intellectual, or psychosocial disability.
Daily Living & Self-Care
We assist with personal care, meal preparation, medication management, and household tasks — enabling greater independence regardless of disability type.
Community Participation
Our support workers help participants engage socially, attend community activities, and build connections — vital for wellbeing across all disability categories.
Transport Support
We provide safe, reliable transport to appointments, therapy sessions, and community events throughout Perth's northern suburbs.
Support Coordination
We help you navigate the NDIS, connect with the right services, and make the most of your NDIS plan — whatever disability category you fall under.
NDIS Access Assistance
Not yet on the NDIS? We can help you understand whether you qualify, what evidence you need, and how to submit your access request.
Supporting Australians across every type of disability — one personalised plan at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 14 disabilities?
The 14 disability categories are: Autism, Deaf-blindness, Deafness, Emotional disturbance, Hearing impairment, Intellectual disability, Multiple disabilities, Orthopedic impairment, Other health impairment, Specific learning disability, Speech or language impairment, Traumatic brain injury, Visual impairment (including blindness), and Developmental delay. These categories were defined under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in the United States.
Does the NDIS cover all 14 disability types?
The NDIS uses its own eligibility framework rather than the IDEA categories, but it does fund support for people living with conditions that overlap significantly — including autism, intellectual disability, physical impairments, sensory impairments, acquired brain injury, and psychosocial disability. NDIS eligibility is based on whether the disability is permanent and significantly impacts everyday life.
What disabilities does the NDIS fund support for in Australia?
The NDIS funds support for Australians with permanent and significant disability, including intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, physical disability, acquired brain injury, visual impairment, hearing impairment, psychosocial disability, and more. The disability must substantially reduce the person's ability to participate in daily activities.
How do I know if my disability qualifies for NDIS funding?
To qualify for the NDIS in Australia you must be under 65, be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and have a permanent disability that significantly affects your ability to take part in everyday activities. The NDIS Access Request process involves providing evidence from a treating health professional. Help Alliance can assist you through this process.
Can Help Alliance support people with these 14 disability types?
Yes. Help Alliance is a registered NDIS provider in Western Australia supporting participants with a wide range of disabilities including autism, intellectual disability, physical impairments, sensory impairments, traumatic brain injury, and more. We provide personalised support plans tailored to each participant's goals and needs.
Are the 14 disabilities used by the NDIS in Australia?
No. The '14 disabilities' classification is drawn from the United States Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and is used in the American special education system. The NDIS in Australia does not use this classification. The NDIS uses its own eligibility framework based on functional impact and permanency of disability. However, many of the same disability types overlap — including autism, intellectual disability, and physical impairments.
What is the difference between a disability and a disorder?
In everyday use, 'disability' and 'disorder' are often used interchangeably. Technically, a disorder refers to a diagnosis — a condition with specific diagnostic criteria (e.g. autism spectrum disorder, ADHD). A disability refers to the functional impact on participation in everyday life. The NDIS and social model of disability focus on the functional impact rather than the diagnostic label — recognising that what matters is how the condition affects the person's life, not just what it is called.
Is ADHD considered one of the 14 disabilities?
Under the IDEA classification system (US), ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is typically categorised under 'Other Health Impairment' (OHI) rather than appearing as a separate category. In Australia, ADHD may qualify for NDIS funding if the condition is permanent and creates a substantial functional impact on daily life — but ADHD alone, without significant functional impairment, typically does not qualify.
What is 'other health impairment' as a disability category?
Under the IDEA classification, 'Other Health Impairment' (OHI) covers chronic or acute health conditions that limit strength, vitality, or alertness and adversely affect educational performance. Conditions commonly categorised as OHI include ADHD, epilepsy, asthma, diabetes, sickle cell anaemia, and Tourette syndrome. In the Australian NDIS context, these conditions may qualify for funding if they create a permanent, substantial functional impact.
What is the definition of intellectual disability in Australia?
In Australia, intellectual disability is generally defined as a significantly below-average level of intellectual functioning (typically an IQ score below 70) combined with limitations in adaptive behaviour (everyday social and practical skills), present from before age 18. This aligns with the DSM-5 and ICD-11 definitions. Intellectual disability is one of the most common disability types supported under the NDIS.
What support does the NDIS provide for traumatic brain injury (TBI)?
The NDIS can fund a wide range of supports for people with traumatic brain injury including personal care and daily living assistance, rehabilitation therapies (occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech pathology, neuropsychology), community participation support, assistive technology, and home modifications. The funding depends on the severity of the injury's functional impact and what is reasonable and necessary for the individual.