disability
Lasting bodily difference
Disability is a physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities.
The word covers a vast range—from blindness and paralysis to chronic illness and cognitive differences.
Legal definitions matter: a recognized disability may entitle someone to accommodations, benefits, or protections.
She has a learning disability.
The building lacks disability access.
In disability communities, the term is neutral and preferred over euphemisms like "differently abled."
Seated conveyance for mobility-impaired
- crutchesMobility aids for injured
- prosthesisManufactured replacement body part
- walkerAmbulatory person or aid
- scooterTwo-wheeled standing vehicle
cane · paralysis · quadriplegia · paraplegia · amputee · orthotics · rollator · stairlift
Games for disabled athletes
- bocciaParalympic target ball sport
- goalballTeam sport for visually impaired
- DeaflympicsAthletic competition for deaf
- parasportsAthletics for disabled athletes
Justified claims to freedoms
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- stigmaMark of dishonor
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
barrier · activism · awareness · empowerment · ADA · ableism · self-advocacy · accommodations
Persisting over time
- congenitalExisting from birth
- neurologicalOf the nervous system
- developmentalRelated to growth stages
- cognitiveRelating to thinking
sensory · invisible · autism · dyslexia · epilepsy · blindness · deafness · intellectual
State of varied elements
- equityImpartial treatment or ownership value
- integrationCombining into a whole
- participationAct of taking part
- acceptanceConsent to receive
belonging · representation · inclusivity · accommodation · opportunity · mainstreaming · normalization · dignity
Inclined connecting surfaces
- elevatorsVertical passenger conveyances
- captioningAdding text to media
- audio-descriptionSpoken account of visuals
- screen-readerConverts display to audio
Retiree's ongoing benefit
- allowanceFixed periodic payment
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
- eligibilityState of meeting criteria
- claimStatement of ownership or truth
entitlement · welfare · PIP · tribunal
wheelchair
Seated conveyance for mobility-impaired
- crutchesMobility aids for injured
- prosthesisManufactured replacement body part
- walkerAmbulatory person or aid
scooter · cane · paralysis · quadriplegia · paraplegia · amputee · orthotics · rollator · stairlift · gait
Paralympics
Games for disabled athletes
- bocciaParalympic target ball sport
- goalballTeam sport for visually impaired
- DeaflympicsAthletic competition for deaf
rights
Justified claims to freedoms
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- stigmaMark of dishonor
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
exclusion · barrier · activism · awareness · empowerment · ADA · ableism · self-advocacy · accommodations · representation
chronic
Persisting over time
- congenitalExisting from birth
- neurologicalOf the nervous system
- developmentalRelated to growth stages
cognitive · sensory · invisible · autism · dyslexia · epilepsy · blindness · deafness · intellectual · psychiatric
diversity
State of varied elements
- equityImpartial treatment or ownership value
- integrationCombining into a whole
- participationAct of taking part
acceptance · belonging · representation · inclusivity · accommodation · opportunity · mainstreaming · normalization · dignity · respect
ramps
Inclined connecting surfaces
- elevatorsVertical passenger conveyances
- captioningAdding text to media
- audio-descriptionSpoken account of visuals
screen-reader · text-to-speech · sign-language · accommodations
pension
Retiree's ongoing benefit
- allowanceFixed periodic payment
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
- eligibilityState of meeting criteria
claim · entitlement · welfare · PIP · tribunal
- public healthdisease prevention, immunization, disease control, health education, epidemiology
- afflictionsaffliction, ailment, disease, illness, malady
- life challengesadversity, hardship, crisis, failure, loss
- physical weaknessweakness, frailty, feebleness, poor health, debility
- stressorsemergency, financial stress, work stress, deadlines, job interview
- insuranceinsurance, coverage, auto insurance, life insurance, home insurance
disabilityability
Power to do something
capability · able-bodiedness · capacity · fitness · competence
disabilityqualification
Required skill or condition
eligibility · advantage · neurotypicality · privilege · abled
- disability accommodationsModifications for functional limitations
- learning disabilitiesNeurological conditions affecting acquisition
- learning disabilityNeurological condition affecting information processing
- disability benefitsPayments for those unable to work
- physical disabilityImpairment of bodily function
- disability rightsProtections for impaired individuals