The terms "impairment" and "disability" are often used in the context of health and functional limitations, but they have distinct meanings:
- Impairment: Refers to a problem with a structure or organ of the body, such as a loss of a limb, loss of vision, or memory loss. Impairments are usually the result of disease, illness, or injury and occur at the level of tissue or organs.
- Disability: Refers to a functional limitation with regard to a particular activity, resulting from an impairment. Disability means that a person has difficulty performing an activity, such as getting dressed or bathing without help, due to their impairment.
In summary, impairment is a loss or abnormality of psychological, physiological, or anatomical structure or function, while disability is the restriction or lack of ability to perform an activity due to the impairment.
Comparative Table: Disability vs Impairment
The difference between disability and impairment can be summarized in the following table:
| Term | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Impairment | A problem with an organ or structure of the body, resulting in a loss of normal physical or mental abilities. Impairments are usually the result of disease, illness, or injury and occur at the level of tissue or organs. | A person with a spinal cord injury may have impaired mobility, leading to paralysis. |
| Disability | A functional limitation or restriction in ability to perform an activity due to an impairment. Disability refers to the difficulty a person encounters in carrying out tasks or activities of daily life. | A person with paralysis may have difficulty walking or performing everyday tasks, such as dressing or bathing, due to their impaired mobility. |
In summary, impairment refers to the underlying problem with a structure or organ of the body, while disability refers to the resulting limitations or difficulties in performing activities or participating in daily life.
Read more
- Disability vs Impairment
- Disorder vs Disability
- Disability vs Handicap
- Learning Disability vs Intellectual Disability
- Learning Disability vs Learning Difficulty
- Amortization vs Impairment
- Autism Spectrum Disorder vs Intellectual Disability
- Disease vs Illness
- SSI vs SSDI
- Mental Illness vs Mental Disorder
- Disease vs Disorder
- Mental Illness vs Neurological Disorder
- Revaluation vs Impairment
- Mental Illness vs Mental Retardation
- Mental Health vs Mental Illness
- Ability vs Capability
- Ability vs Capacity
- Disparate Treatment vs Disparate Impact
- Stigma vs Discrimination
- Ability vs Skill