The word "disabled" is defined as having a physical or mental disability : unable to perform one or more natural activities (such as walking or seeing) because of illness, injury, etc. It came to be used as the standard term in referring to people with physical or mental disabilities in the second half of the 20th century - and it remains the most generally accepted term in both British and U.S. English.
Some people are born with a disability, others become disabled as a result of an illness or injury, and some people develop them as they age. At some point in our lives almost all of us will have some type of disability.
Some people are born with a disability, others become disabled as a result of an illness or injury, and some people develop them as they age. At some point in our lives almost all of us will have some type of disability.
- About 1 in 5 people in America currently has a disability.
- 33% of 20-year-old workers will become disabled before reaching retirement age.
- Over a billion people, around 15% of the world's population, have some form of disability.
- Between 110 million and 190 million adults worldwide have significant difficulties in functioning.
- Rates of disability are increasing due to population aging and increases in chronic health conditions.