Disability vs. Inability — What's the Difference?

A disability is any medical condition that makes it more difficult for a person to do certain activities or effectively interact with the world around them (socially or materially). These conditions, or impairments, may be cognitive, developmental, intellectual, mental, physical, sensory, or a combination of multiple factors.

The state of being unable to do something

A physical or mental condition that significantly limits a person's motor, sensory, or cognitive abilities.

Lack of ability or means.

The state of having such a condition

Lack of the ability to do something; incapability.

A program that provides financial support to people with such conditions

Lack of the option to do something; powerlessness.

The economic assistance provided by such a program

The quality or state of being unable; lack of ability; lack of sufficient power, strength, resources, or capacity.

(Law) Lack of legal capacity to perform some act, such as to enter into a contract, because of infancy or lack of soundness of mind.

Lack of ability (especially mental ability) to do something

State of being disabled; deprivation or want of ability; absence of competent physical, intellectual, or moral power, means, fitness, and the like.

Lacking the power to perform

A mental condition causing a difficulty with an intellectual task.

(disability theory) An inability imposed on a person by society's failure to accommodate their physical or mental differences from others, as opposed to impairment.

Want of legal qualification to do a thing; legal incapacity or incompetency.

Regular payments received by a disabled person, usually from the state

State of being disabled; deprivation or want of ability; absence of competent physical, intellectual, or moral power, means, fitness, and the like.

Want of legal qualification to do a thing; legal incapacity or incompetency.

The condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness;