Disability vs. Impairment — What's the Difference?

Often requires adaptations for full participation in society.

Can be temporary or permanent loss of function.

A restriction in performing tasks due to physical or mental conditions.

Often the focus of medical intervention.

A social and legal category that includes people with various functional limitations.

A medical condition causing functional limitation.

An interaction between individual impairments and environmental barriers.

Specifically refers to physical or mental abnormalities.

Recognized by societal standards as requiring accommodations.

Diagnosed through clinical assessment.

A disability is any medical condition that makes it more difficult for a person to do certain activities or effectively interact with the world around them (socially or materially). These conditions, or impairments, may be cognitive, developmental, intellectual, mental, physical, sensory, or a combination of multiple factors.

To cause to weaken, be damaged, or diminish, as in quality

A physical or mental condition that significantly limits a person's motor, sensory, or cognitive abilities.

The result of being impaired

The state of having such a condition

A deterioration or weakening

A program that provides financial support to people with such conditions

A disability or handicap

The economic assistance provided by such a program

An inefficient part or factor.

(Law) Lack of legal capacity to perform some act, such as to enter into a contract, because of infancy or lack of soundness of mind.

(accounting) A downward revaluation, a write-down.

State of being disabled; deprivation or want of ability; absence of competent physical, intellectual, or moral power, means, fitness, and the like.

The state, act, or process of being impaired; injury.

A mental condition causing a difficulty with an intellectual task.

The occurrence of a change for the worse

(disability theory) An inability imposed on a person by society's failure to accommodate their physical or mental differences from others, as opposed to impairment.

A symptom of reduced quality or strength

Want of legal qualification to do a thing; legal incapacity or incompetency.

The condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness;

Regular payments received by a disabled person, usually from the state

Damage that results in a reduction of strength or quality

State of being disabled; deprivation or want of ability; absence of competent physical, intellectual, or moral power, means, fitness, and the like.

The act of making something futile and useless (as by routine)

Want of legal qualification to do a thing; legal incapacity or incompetency.

The condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness;

Disabilities can be physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory.

Some can be managed or mitigated, but many disabilities are permanent, requiring adaptations rather than cures.

Through the individual’s ability to engage in daily life activities in comparison to societal standards.

Treatments can include medication, surgery, and rehabilitation.

Laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the U.S. ensure rights and accommodations.

Through accessible design, inclusive policies, and social support systems.

Yes, especially when combined with inadequate accommodations or societal barriers.

No, impairments like mental health disorders or chronic pain are often invisible.

They can limit one's ability to perform certain tasks, depending on the severity and type.

Paralysis of limbs due to spinal injury.