Introduction:

It is an inability to move independently is one of the most common physical

disabilities in people. According to this definition or classification, all physical
impairments fall under the category of physical disability; the opposite is not true. In
terms of locomotion, all people with locomotor impairments, according to the WHO,
experience challenges. moving, etc. Instead of locomotor impairment, the phrase
orthopedic impairment is frequently used. The range of motion for a person with a
locomotor disability will be limited. The primary causes could be diseases, conditions,
or deformities of the bones or muscles, as well as any traumas to the brain, spinal
cord, or nerves.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA) defines
orthopedic impairment as “a severe orthopedic impairment that adversely affects a
child's educational performance. The term includes impairments due to the effects of
congenital anomaly (e.g., clubfoot, absence of some member, etc.), impairments due
to the effects of the disease (e.g., poliomyelitis, bone tuberculosis, etc.), and
impairments from other causes (e.g., cerebral palsy, amputations, and fractures or
burns that cause contractures)” (Pierangelo & Giuliani, 2007, p. 268).

Disability is an idea that changes throughout time. How to define disability and
categorize those who experience it, is susceptible to several schools of thinking. 
Disability is viewed as a catch-all word by the International Classification of
Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) encompassing impairments, activity
restrictions, and participation limitations. Issues with a person's body structure or
function, such as paralyzed legs, are referred to as impairments. Activity limits are
obstacles a person could encounter when doing certain actions, such as using the
restroom. Contrarily, participation constraints are obstacles a person may face when
attempting to engage in some aspects of life, such as participating in the workforce.
Disability is influenced not only by a person's health but also by the environment in
which they live. As a result, it is necessary to create or modify disability measurement
scales according to the situation. Disability is the result of the negative effects of a
complex interaction between a person's circumstances and health problems. When a
person's permanent mobility impairment(s) interact with personal (such as age and
sex) and environmental (such as social, political, and physical surroundings) factors,
activity limitations and participation restrictions emerge. This is how locomotor
disability is described in Bangladesh. The measurement of a phenomenon like
Locomotor Disability, which cannot be observed directly but is thought to exist in
theory, requires the use of a multi-item measurement scale. Although locomotor
disability cannot be measured directly, it is likely to have specific levels in certain
circumstances. At any time and place, a locomotor disability measurement scale
 should be able to evaluate its true value.

People with locomotor disabilities are unable to move and do simple tasks with their
limbs like other people. A person with a locomotor disability may find it difficult to
walk, stand, pick up or hold objects in their hands, move from one place to another,
and perform other mobility-related activities.
Locomotor Disability comes in a range of severity and types. Following are a few of
the main categories of locomotor disability.
 Upper Limb Locomotor Impairment
 Lower limb locomotor impairment
 Trunk Locomotor Impairment (Spine)
 Locomotor impairment due to dwarfism or short stature
 Disability in Locomotion in Amputees
 Radial and ulnar deficits are the most prevalent longitudinal defects

Types of Orthopedic Impairment

1. Neuromotor (ex. cerebral palsy, spina bifida)

2. Degenerative Diseases (ex. muscular dystrophy)
3. Musculoskeletal Disorders (ex limb deficiency, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis)

Heller and Swinehart- Jones (2003) categorize the characteristics of these types of OI

by the related functional limitations and  psycho-social and 
environmental factors 

Cerebral palsy is the most typical motor impairment in children that have an impact
on how well a person can move, balance, and adopt good posture. It usually caused
gene mutations that result in genetic disorders or differences in brain development.
Maternal infections affect the developing fetus. Fetal stroke is a disruption of blood
supply to the developing brain. And bleeding into the brain in the womb or as a
newborn.

CP can be mild, moderate, or severe. Mild CP may mean a child is clumsy.

Moderate CP may mean the child walks with a limp. He or she may need a special leg
brace or a cane. More severe CP can affect all parts of a child’s physical abilities. A
child with moderate or severe CP may have to use a wheelchair and other special
equipment.

Sometimes children with CP can also have learning problems, problems with hearing
or seeing (called sensory problems), or intellectual disabilities. Usually, the greater
the injury to the brain, the more severe the CP. However, CP doesn’t get worse over
time, and most children with CP have a normal life span.
What About Treatment?

With early and ongoing treatment the effects of CP can be reduced. Many

children learn how to get their bodies to work for them in other ways. For example,
one infant whose CP keeps him from crawling may be able to get around by rolling
from place to place. Typically, children with CP may need different kinds of
therapy, including:

Physical therapy (PT), helps the child develop stronger muscles such as those in the
legs and trunk. Through PT, the child works on skills such as walking, sitting, and
keeping his or her balance.

Occupational therapy (OT), helps the child develop fine motor skills such as
dressing, feeding, writing, and other daily living tasks.

Speech-language pathology (S/L), helps the child develop his or her communication

skills. The child may work in particular on speaking, which may be difficult due to
problems with muscle tone of the tongue and throat.

Early signs of it:

1. Developmental delays
2. Abnormal muscle tone
3. Abnormal muscle tone

Spinal Bifida is a condition that affects the spine and is usually apparent at birth. It's
thought to result from a combination of genetic, nutritional, and environmental risk
factors, such as a family history of neural tube defects and folate (vitamin B-9)
deficiency

The effects of spina bifida vary from person to person, depending on the type
involved. Children born with spina bifida occulta typically have few symptoms or
adverse effects from the condition. As we mentioned, many may never even know
 that they have it. Those with meningocele, also a mild form, maybe only minimally
affected as well.

The effects of myelomeningocele, the most serious form of spina bifida, may include:

 muscle weakness or paralysis below the area of the spine where the incomplete
closure (or cleft) occurs,
 loss of sensation below the cleft, and
 loss of bowel and bladder control.

Muscular dystrophies are a group of muscle diseases caused by mutations in a

person's genes. Over time, muscle weakness decreases mobility, making everyday
tasks difficult.
Limb deficiency is the absence or severe hypoplasia of a limb or part of a limb. The
cause of it includes exposure of the mother to certain chemicals or viruses while she is
pregnant.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

It is a form of arthritis in children ages 16 or younger. It causes joint inflammation
and stiffness for more than 6 weeks. The disease may affect a few joints or many
joints. It may cause symptoms all over the body. The most common symptoms
include swollen, stiff, warm, red, and painful joints.

Many types of orthopedic or neuromuscular impairments can impact mobility. These

include, but are not limited to amputation, paralysis, cerebral palsy, stroke, multiple
sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, arthritis, and spinal cord injury. Mobility impairments
range from lower body impairments, which may require the use of canes, walkers, or
wheelchairs, to upper body impairments which may include limited or no use of the
upper extremities and hands.

Mobility impairments can be permanent or temporary. A broken bone or surgical

procedure can temporarily impact a student’s ability to walk independently and travel
between classroom buildings promptly. Likewise, some students may be ambulatory
with a walker for short distances within a classroom but may need a wheelchair or
scooter for longer distances.

The human population has had traits that are related to modern classifications of
disability since the beginning of history. But cultural perceptions of disabilities and
those who experience them have changed significantly through time. Disability has
variously been seen as a medical ailment, a gift from a deity or deities, a punishment
for wrongdoing, or all three. Since the profession's inception, social workers have
assisted those with disabilities, and they play a crucial part in both the prevention and
treatment of disabilities. The promotion of the profession's fundamental ideals, such
as the worth and dignity of every person, guides practice. Social workers understand
that access to opportunities and human rights should not be hampered by differences
in physical and cognitive capacities. Social and political initiatives aimed at
promoting inclusion, fostering self-determination, and combating prejudice are
centered on individuals with disabilities. Significant challenges with income, work,
housing, and quality of life persist for those with disabilities despite the expansion of
services and legislation that support their well-being. To ensure that laws,
organizations, and policies do not exclude or oppress based on different physical
and/or intellectual abilities, macro social work practice is crucial. Social work's
emphasis on policy and community development makes it a good fit for changing the
systems that keep persons with disabilities from achieving full inclusion in
communities, workplaces, and educational institutions. To ensure that people with
disabilities receive high-quality assistance and to enhance their well-being and
participation in all facets of society, macro social work strategies are required.