Definition of disability

It is important to understand that disability is understood differently around the world. I am UK-based and this website will look at the UK definition of disability.

Equality Act (UK)

According to the UK government:

You’re disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.

Substantial is defined as, more than minor or trivial and long term is defined as, 12 months or more.

This definition of disability means that a person's diagnosis or the name of their condition is not the most important thing. What is important is the negative effect that the impairment (which does not even have to be a diagnosed condition) is having on that person's ability to live their lives.

United Nations

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities defines disability as follows:

The term persons with disabilities is used to apply to all persons with disabilities including those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various attitudinal and environmental barriers, hinders their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.

What I like about this definition, is that it brings in interaction with barriers. This really fits the social model of disability well.