A disability is medically defined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as any bodily or intellectual impairment that limits a person's activities and participation/interactions with the world at large.

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Disability is not defined by a single universal standard; rather, it is conceptualized through multiple frameworks. These include medical definitions that focus on bodily or intellectual impairments, legal frameworks such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that emphasize substantial limitations on major life activities, and social definitions that highlight societal barriers and prejudice.

Definitions of Disability

Medical Definition of Disability

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that places a substantial limit on one or more major life activities. Examples of such major life activities include hearing, walking, and breathing.

Definition of Disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Disability is defined as the expectations and prejudice placed on people by society that causes them to be viewed as a burden and wrong. By this definition, it is not a condition of the individual but something imposed externally. 

Disability Definition

The UNCRPD (The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities) defines disability as long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments that, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder full and effective participation in society. People with disabilities are not a homogenous group, and individual experiences are influenced by factors such as impairment type, gender, age, family support, and environment.

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