Hierarchy of Impairment

The hierarchy of impairment refers to the phenomenon where certain types of disabilities and impairments are viewed more favorably or given greater attention than others, both by non-disabled people and within the disability community itself. Research by Mark Deal documented how both disabled and non-disabled people rank impairment groups hierarchically, with physical and sensory impairments generally receiving more social acceptance and research attention than cognitive, intellectual, and mental health conditions. In accessibility practice, this hierarchy manifests in the disproportionate focus on sensory and mobility access (such as screen reader compatibility and keyboard navigation) while cognitive accessibility, learning disabilities, and mental health considerations receive significantly less attention in standards, research, and implementation.