A disability is a condition or impairment that makes a particular activity difficult. A disability refers to a significant difference in body structure or functional capacity. Disabilities can also relate to cognitive (brain-related) and emotional functioning. Disabilities are many and can affect physical, mental or emotional health.
Disabilities affect many aspects of functioning, including movement, vision, hearing, thinking, learning, and communication. Disabilities can be present at birth or develop later in life. Approximately 1 in 4 people in the United States has a disability, and 7.2% of adults have a disability that limits their ability to live independently.
Fortunately, there are many resources available to help children and adults cope with and live well with disabilities.
There are several types of disorders, usually classified by their effect on functioning. For example:
Mobility: Mobility disorders include any impairment that makes it more difficult to move around. Approximately 12.1% of U.S. adults have disabilities that affect walking or climbing stairs. Cognitive: Cognitive disorders affect memory, learning, and understanding. Approximately 12.8% of U.S. adults have cognitive disorders that cause difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions. Vision: Vision disorders include blindness or difficulty seeing, even with glasses. These disorders affect 4.8% of U.S. adults. Hearing: People with hearing impairments are deaf or hard of hearing. This affects approximately 6.1% of U.S. adults. Mental Health: People with chronic mental illnesses, such as depression or schizophrenia, may have difficulty functioning throughout the day.
Disorders can be short-term or long-term (chronic) — symptoms come and go or get worse over time.
Chronic health conditions: Chronic health conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, are the leading cause of disability among adults in the United States. Progressive diseases: Progressive diseases, such as muscular dystrophy, cause disabilities that may worsen over time. Intermittent diseases: Symptoms of intermittent diseases may come and go depending on your overall health. An example of an intermittent disease is multiple sclerosis (MS).
There are many risk factors for disorders. Disorders can develop during childhood or in adulthood. For example:
Exposures during pregnancy: Exposure to alcohol, tobacco, and certain infections, such as rubella, in the womb increases the risk of disorders. Developmental disorders: Disorders that are often diagnosed in childhood include autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These disorders affect a child’s ability to learn, process information, and communicate. Injury: A traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal cord injury can cause long-term disabilities that affect movement, cognition, and mental health.
Failures often occur for the following reasons:
Gene mutations (changes) An extra or missing chromosome Prenatal exposure to alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or certain infections Birth complications, such as premature birth or lack of oxygen during birth Brain or spinal cord injury An underlying condition that may develop later in life
Living with a disability often brings physical, social, financial and emotional challenges to daily life. Consider the following examples:
Higher risk of health conditions: People with disabilities are more likely to develop diseases such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Barriers to care: People with disabilities also often face barriers to receiving appropriate medical care. In fact, 25% of adults with disabilities in the United States have unmet health needs or do not have a regular health care provider. There is a need for more resources for people with disabilities and health care providers who are knowledgeable about disabilities. Emotional impact: If you have a disability, you may notice changes in your mood and self-esteem. Low self-esteem can increase your risk of anxiety, depression, substance use, and antisocial behavior. A 2022 study found that people who accept their disability and are able to live with their condition have higher self-esteem than those who do not. Financial health: People with disabilities tend to have a harder time getting a job and earning enough money. Studies have shown that people with a strong support system from their family are less likely to experience poverty than those who are solely responsible for their finances.
Living with a disability puts you at risk for many health complications. Living with a disability can increase your risk of the following health conditions and conditions:
Fatigue Chronic pain Obesity Depression Heart disease Diabetes Bowel and bladder problems
People with disabilities are four to ten times more likely to experience violence, abuse, or neglect than people without disabilities. For resources on how to get help if you or a loved one with a disability is experiencing abuse, visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline resource page here.
There are several tests available to assess and diagnose disorders. Many disorders can be present from birth or childhood, but if a disorder develops later in life, a healthcare provider can offer support.
When you see your healthcare provider, the first step will likely be a thorough medical history and physical exam. Your provider will ask you a few questions about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life.
Your healthcare provider may recommend further evaluation by a physical or occupational therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. Your healthcare team will usually perform a range of physical and cognitive tests to understand your disability and symptoms. Common tools your healthcare team will use to diagnose your disability include:
Functional testing: Your healthcare provider will ask you to complete one or more tasks to assess your ability to function. Examples include grip tests, walking tests, jump tests, balance tests, and other strength tests. Neurocognitive testing: Your healthcare provider will test your vision, hearing, and cognitive function with a variety of screening tests. Questionnaires: Your healthcare provider will ask you to answer several questions about your symptoms, functioning, mental health, and daily activities.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), disability includes three dimensions:
Impairment of physical or mental function Limitation of activities due to impairment Limitation of normal daily activities
Disability benefits
If you have proof of disability, you may be eligible to receive disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). According to the SSA, you may be eligible for benefits if you have had a “medically determined physical or mental impairment” for at least 12 months.
The five steps to applying for SSA benefits include answering five questions:
Are you working?: To understand if you are currently able to work. Are your symptoms severe?: To find out if your symptoms significantly limit your ability to do basic work-related tasks. Is your symptom on the SSA’s list of disabilities?: To make sure your symptoms are on the approved list of disabilities that SSA covers. Can you do the jobs you used to do?: To determine if your symptoms are preventing you from doing the jobs you used to do. Can you do other types of work?: To see if you can transfer your skills to other types of work that you can perform with your disability.
Under U.S. law, everyone with a disability is entitled to rights and protections. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications, and government facilities. This law aims to ensure that a disability doesn’t prevent you from working, traveling, or functioning in daily life.
The government agencies involved in supporting and enforcing the ADA are:
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) U.S. Department of Labor U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission U.S. Department of Transportation
U.S. Department of Justice U.S. Department of Education U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
For more information about the ADA, check out our disability rights guide here.
There are several resources available to people with disabilities and their families. Government agencies that provide support for people with disabilities include:
Resources for disability employment include:
Organizations that provide general resources for people with disabilities include the following:
If you have a disability, you can also talk to your health care provider to learn more about resources that can help you specifically with your condition.
A disability is a physical, mental, or emotional condition that makes certain activities difficult. Birth defects, injuries, and certain health conditions can all cause disabilities, regardless of age.
A disability can affect many aspects of your life, including your physical health, your senses (such as your sight and hearing), your emotional health, and your ability to carry out daily activities. However, it is possible to live a healthy and enjoyable life despite having a disability.
Improving the lives of people with disabilities still requires more research and resources about disabilities, competent healthcare providers, and community support. Fortunately, resources like the Americans with Disabilities Act can help you understand disabilities, learn about your rights, and connect you to more tips, assistive devices, and resources to live a better life.