Intellectual Disability (ID) is a term used when “there are limits to a person’s ability to learn at an expected level and function in daily life” (CDC, 2022). ID generally starts before the age of 18 in most people, affects the development of children, and continues throughout the person’s life. ID can occur in one of four levels – 1) mild, 2) moderate, 3) severe to 4) profound – and each of these levels require unique support needs (Western Cape Forum for Persons with Intellectual Disability, 2020).
Children with ID develop and learn slower than other children their age in two specific domains (Western Cape Forum for Persons with Intellectual Disability, 2020):
- Adaptive functioning – the ability to acquire skills and behaviours that help them navigate the demands of everyday living to the same degree as other children their age
- Intellectual functioning – the ability to learn, think, engage in problem solving, use reasoning and make sense of the world to the same degree as others their age.
Globally, persons with ID make up 2% of the population living with disability (Belton et al, 2016). In South Africa, approximately four out of every 100 people are affected by some level and form of ID (Western Cape Forum for Persons with Intellectual Disability, 2020) and yet they are still far too often marginalised when it comes to education, employment and everyday community life.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that “disability inclusion is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and global health priorities to achieve health for all (WHO, 2023). This includes ID and yet, it remains one of the most disregarded disabilities in South Africa (Western Cape Forum for Persons with Intellectual Disability, 2020).
Intellectual Disability Awareness Month – March
This campaign focuses on educating the public about persons living with intellectual disability, highlighting the valuable contribution they make to society while at the same time bringing to light some of the societal and attitudinal barriers they face in exercising their human rights.