We all experience disability at some point in our lives, through difficulties such as depression, insomnia or a broken leg. But for people with permanent or long term disabilities, impairment is a more significant factor in their lives. While people with disabilities are not defined by an impairment, impairment does play a role in shaping their lifestyles. Most people with disabilities are limited in just a narrow range of activity, not their wider scope of social, vocational and cognitive behavior. Disability Is Universal Disability is universal, encompassing people of all backgrounds, both sexes and any age.
Disabilities stem from impairments that are congenital or the residual effects of disease or injury.
Handicaps, by contrast, are not physical or mental conditions. They are the architectural and attitudinal barriers that impede individuals trying to function in a non-friendly environment. In other words, a person is handicapped by a barrier or obstacle. When meeting a person with disabilities, some individuals are uncomfortable and feel sorry for someone whom they assume has a poor quality of life. This is one of the most common stereotypes attached to people with disabilities, and this perception can discourage social interactions and the development of true relationships.