disability · model

Disability

General / Dictionary

Definition

A physical/mental condition limiting activities; lack of ability; a handicap preventing normal life or work.

Prerequisite chain

Condition. Any condition, injury, or limitation, however defined
Functional status. A visible or assumed reduction in doing an everyday activity
Applied test. Purely descriptive - no formal test applied

Assessment basis (treatment / aids) — Aids/meds are seen as mitigating the visible impact (e.g. "with glasses, they function normally"), so the negative effect is usually judged in the mitigated state.

Qualifiers

Severity. Mild, moderate, severe
Duration. Temporary, chronic, permanent
Scope. Partial vs. Total
Other. Colloquial, non-technical usage

Impact

Negatively affects basic self-care, mobility, communication, or work.

Example

Someone says "he's disabled" about a person who uses a wheelchair, without reference to any legal test.

Source: General English usage

Language map: disability · Incapacity · Mitigated-state trap