A disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental or some combination of these. Many people would rather be referred to as a person with a disability instead of handicapped. "Cerebral Palsy: A Guide for Care" at the University of Delaware offers the following guidelines:
An individual may also qualify as disabled if he/she has had an impairment in the past or is se
en as disabled based on a personal or group standard or norm. Such impairments may include physical, sensory, and cognitive or developmental disabilities. Mental disorders (also known as psychiatric or psychosocial disability) and various types of chronic disease may also qualify as disabilities. Some advocates object to describing certain conditions (notably deafness and autism) as "disabilities", arguing that it is more appropriate to consider them developmental differences that have been unfairly stigmatized by society. A disability may occur during a person's lifetime or may be present from birth. Types of disability
Disability is caused by impairments to various subsystems of the body - these can be broadly sorted into the following categories. Physical disability
Any impairment which limits the physical function of limbs or fine or gross motor ability is a physical disability. Other physical disabilities include impairments which limit other facets of daily living, such as severe sleep apnea.
