Disability

A disability is a condition that a person has which limits them in some way.

People with a disability or disabilities may need to use special equipment that can help them. This can include using a wheelchair, a cane or walking stick, hearing aids, a teletypewriter (TTY) and using specially designed software and hardware for the personal computer.

People who use a wheelchair or cane/walking stick cannot walk up or down stairs in a building. They need to use ramps and elevators when going into and moving around in a building. Wide doorways and accessible toilets also make it easier for people with physical disabilities to use.

Prejudice towards people with disabilities is common. This is sometimes called 'ableism'. A person with such a prejudice is called an ablecentrist.

Some categories of disability

• Physical disabilities limit the way the body works.
• Visual impairment is when the eyesight of a person is affected. (blind)
• Hearing impairment is when a person cannot hear normally. (deaf)
• Intellectual disability is when a person's brain is limited and cannot function at the same level as another person of their age.
• Developmental disabilities can limit how a person processes information and thinks.

Related pages

• Accessibility
• Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
• Neurodiversity

Other websites

• Guardian disability page