disabilities
Conditions limiting ability
Disabilities are physical, mental, or developmental conditions that limit a person's movements, senses, or activities.
The word covers a wide spectrum—from mobility impairments requiring wheelchairs to cognitive differences affecting learning.
The building was retrofitted for accessibility to accommodate people with disabilities.
In legal and social contexts, disability often determines eligibility for accommodations, benefits, or protections against discrimination.
Seated conveyance for mobility-impaired
- prosthesisManufactured replacement body part
- walkerAmbulatory person or aid
- caneStick for support
- mobility aidEquipment enabling movement
accessible parking · ramp · assistive device · orthotic · brace · crutches · service animal · adaptive equipment
Being made part
- accessibilityEase of approach
- accommodationShelter or housing provided
- advocacyPleading for a cause
- rightsJustified claims to freedoms
discrimination · ableism · stigma · awareness · representation · barrier · equity · dignity
Diminished function or capacity
- conditionState or stipulation
- disorderAbsence of organization
- dysfunctionAbnormal or unhealthy operation
- paralysisLoss of muscle function
blindness · deafness · epilepsy · autism · cerebral palsy · multiple sclerosis · muscular dystrophy · spina bifida
Unable to hear
- blindLacking the sense of sight
- hearing lossReduced ability to perceive sound
- visual impairmentUncorrectable seeing deficit
- low visionSignificant uncorrectable sight loss
sign language · cochlear implant · hearing aid · screen reader · audio description · captioning · tactile · guide dog
Enduring physical suffering
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- fibromyalgiaChronic widespread musculoskeletal pain condition
- autoimmuneBody attacks itself
- mental healthEmotional and cognitive well-being
anxiety · depression · ADHD · dyslexia · chronic fatigue syndrome · lupus · Crohn's · hidden
wheelchair
Seated conveyance for mobility-impaired
- prosthesisManufactured replacement body part
- walkerAmbulatory person or aid
- caneStick for support
mobility aid · accessible parking · ramp · assistive device · orthotic · brace · crutches · service animal · adaptive equipment · motorized scooter
inclusion
Being made part
- accessibilityEase of approach
- accommodationShelter or housing provided
- advocacyPleading for a cause
rights · discrimination · ableism · stigma · awareness · representation · barrier · equity · dignity · empowerment
impairment
Diminished function or capacity
- conditionState or stipulation
- disorderAbsence of organization
- dysfunctionAbnormal or unhealthy operation
paralysis · blindness · deafness · epilepsy · autism · cerebral palsy · multiple sclerosis · muscular dystrophy · spina bifida · amputation
deaf
Unable to hear
- blindLacking the sense of sight
- hearing lossReduced ability to perceive sound
- visual impairmentUncorrectable seeing deficit
low vision · sign language · cochlear implant · hearing aid · screen reader · audio description · captioning · tactile · guide dog · lip reading
chronic pain
Enduring physical suffering
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- fibromyalgiaChronic widespread musculoskeletal pain condition
- autoimmuneBody attacks itself
mental health · anxiety · depression · ADHD · dyslexia · chronic fatigue syndrome · lupus · Crohn's · hidden · unseen
- taboostaboo, incest, cannibalism, bestiality, necrophilia
- school problemsdropout rates, overcrowding, school funding, budget cuts, bullying
- birthrightancestry, bloodline, heredity, parentage, pedigree
- English CatholicismEnglish Reformation, Catholic bishops, Catholic clergy, priest holes, Catholic missions
disabilitiesabilities
Powers to perform
capabilities · faculties · capacities · able-bodiedness · fitness
disabilitiesstrengths
Powers or capabilities
powers · aptitudes · competencies · proficiencies · potencies
- learning disabilitiesNeurological conditions affecting acquisition
- physical disabilitiesBodily functional limitations
- people with disabilitiesThose with lasting impairments
- cognitive disabilitiesLimitations in mental functioning
- mental disabilitiesConditions limiting intellectual function
- intellectual disabilitiesLimitations in mental abilities
able, ability, enable, disabled, disable, inability, abilities, disability, enabling