Physical Disabilities

According to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), disability is an umbrella term for health impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. Disability refers to the negative aspects of the interaction between individuals with a health condition (e.g., cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and depression) and personal and environmental factors (e.g., negative attitudes, inaccessible transportation and public buildings, and limited social supports). Due to the interaction between the debilitating health condition, the environment, and other personal factors, it is difficult to isolate a disability, physical or otherwise, from the other unique traits of an individual and the environment in which he or she functions. This is a departure from previously accepted definitions of disability that focused on physical and mental impairments, abnormalities, handicaps, and other restrictions in abilities. While terms such as cripple, spastic, invalid, and freak were commonly used in the past to label people with disabilities, these terms are now considered derogatory. In many places in the world, “person first” language is the preferred terminology (e.g., person with Down syndrome; person with a visual impairment). This entry provides information on the classification of physical disabilities, laws related to people with physical disabilities, and barriers to full inclusion in the society. Furthermore, while this entry focuses on physical disabilities, it is sometimes impossible to separate physical, cognitive, and mental disabilities due to comorbidity (e.g., Fragile X syndrome has physical impairments, cognitive impairments, and often mental impairments).

The World Health Organization's inaugural World Report on Disability in 2011 published the most accurate up-to-date global estimates on disabilities. The report estimated that 15.6% (785 million people) of people aged 15 years and above have some type of disability (physical, mental, and/or cognitive) with 2.2% (110 million people) having a “severe disability.” A related survey of children (birth to 14 years) estimated that 5.1% (95 million) have a disability. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 15.6%, or 35.8 million, U.S. adults (18 years and older) report having a physical functioning difficulty.