disability

1. According to the “International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps” (World Health Organization), any restriction or lack of ability to perform an activity in a manner or within the range considered normal for a human being. The term d. reflects the consequences of impairment in terms of functional performance and activity by the individual; disabilities thus represent disturbances at the level of the person. 2. An impairment or defect of one or more organs or members.

- developmental d. loss of function brought on by prenatal and postnatal events in which the predominant disturbance is in the acquisition of cognitive, language, motor, or social skills; e.g., mental retardation, autistic disorder, learning disorder, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

- learning d. a disorder in one or more of the basic cognitive and psychological processes involved in understanding or using written or spoken language; may be manifested in age-related impairment in the ability to read, write, spell, speak, or perform mathematical calculations.

* * *

dis·abil·i·ty .dis-ə-'bil-ət-ē n, pl -ties

1) the condition of being disabled

2) inability to pursue an occupation because of physical or mental impairment

* * *

n.

a loss or restriction of functional ability or activity as a result of impairment of the body or mind. See also handicap.

* * *

dis·a·bil·i·ty (dis″ə-bilґĭ-te) 1. an incapacity or lack of the ability to function normally; it may be either physical or mental or both. 2. anything that causes such an incapacity. 3. as defined by the federal government: “inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to last or has lasted for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.”