Disability and Cognitive Functions: Perceiving Functions

The DiSCability official symbol* (Design: FlutistPride)

Perceiving functions are the functions we use to take in and interpret information. They determine our preference for giving and receiving information. The functions, sensing and intuition, can be extroverted (directed towards the outer world) or introverted (directed towards one's self). The dominant or auxiliary perceiving function is used as the main mode of processing facts, finding patterns, and synthesizing them for further processing using judging functions. Perceiving functions are not directly used to make decisions, but rather provide the basis for decisions.

Extroverted Sensation (Se) ( S P)

Se is associated with movement and physical activity as well as refined praxis. Many disabled Se users mistype due to the nature of descriptions of Se. An Se user could be aware of their movements, but lack control over them. This frustrates Se users greatly. Se is the ability to use one's immediate environment to their advantage. An Se user is generally in tune with their physical self. This allows Se users to spot accessibility features/a lack thereof right off the bat, manipulate their bodies in ways others do not think to be possible, know when sensory overload is coming, and milk the potential of anything physical. Se is also known to be promoting. Se users know how to put on a show--and they enjoy doing it. This is a useful skill in advocacy and in succeeding in areas where others with similar abilities cannot. Paralympic athletes are (most likely) fine examples of high Se and disability in combination.

Introverted Sensation (Si) ( S J)

Si is not a good memory or a traditionalist viewpoint, though Si users tend to have such things. Si is looking back on a repository of carefully stored experiences in order to perform a certain task or cope with uncertainty regarding a situation. Si users, generally, do not trust what differs from what they know works. It is not that Si users are intolerant; they just prefer the tried and true over experimenting with the new. A disabled Si user generally seeks out others with similar experiences, usually with the intention of helping others like them. Such people usually join or start support groups. It is common for Si users to feel isolated when others do not share their experiences, which motivates them to band together and exchange impressions (unless the Si user has had a bad experience with experience sharing). 

Extroverted Intuition (Ne) ( N P)

Ne users are good at seeing possibilities because that's what Ne is: extrapolating to multiple outcomes from a single point. Ne-one can be Ne-thing according to Ne users. (<-Pun that would make an Ne user proud) When something is impossible, Ne users make it possible. Ne comes in handy for imaging improvements for assistive technology, better benefit systems, and noticing underlying patterns behind disability perception. Ne users tend towards outlets that promote this explosive function's qualities such as blogging, arts, and public speaking. They do not like to settle for a known method when something else could be better. Ne users are likely to have colorfully decorated assistive technology among other things. These people use their intuition to extrapolate to other possibilities of how others experience their lives rather than "just knowing" or experiencing it for themselves.

Introverted Intuition ( N J)

Ni users get straight to the point: that is, their vision of how things should be. Ni users make great activists because they doggedly pursue their visions. However, Ni users are often reluctant to implement large-scale visions knowing they will yield disappointment. They tend to shoot straight towards their goals knowing how they should look exactly and tend to have little regard for the sensory aspects of life. This is both advantageous and detrimental as it leads to more security regarding appearance, but decreases awareness of one's physical needs. Ni users tend towards writing. However, Ni writing has a clear objective rather than having random, seemingly incoherent thoughts. Ni swings back and shoots straight to land on a target. Where these targets come from is often only known to the Ni user. Personal symbolism is another component of Ni that others tend to miss. Ni users draw vague conclusions about what certain things mean to them; an Ni user can write an entire article about what a certain object means independent from any impressions with said object.

*Image Description: A robust white stick figure in a wheelchair that reads "DiSC" on the wheel in a clockwise direction. D (uppercase) is red, i (lowecase) is yellow, S (uppercase) is green, and C (uppercase) is blue. The image is on a blue background.