What is physical disability and give an example?

September 24, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over one in four adults in the U.S. has some form of disability. This article provides a comprehensive and authoritative guide answering the question: what is physical disability and give an example?

Quick Summary

A physical disability is a limitation on a person's physical functioning, mobility, or dexterity, often impacting daily activities. Cerebral Palsy, a neurological condition affecting muscle control, is a key example, often requiring adaptive strategies and assistive technology.

Key Points

Definition: A physical disability limits a person's physical functioning, mobility, dexterity, or stamina, impacting their daily activities.
Example: Cerebral Palsy is a significant example, a neurological disability affecting muscle control and coordination due to brain damage.
Causes: Disabilities can be either congenital (present from birth, like Spina Bifida) or acquired later in life (due to injury or illness, like a spinal cord injury).
Barriers: Challenges include attitudinal barriers (stereotyping and stigma), physical barriers (inaccessible environments), and programmatic barriers (lack of appropriate services).
Empowerment: Accommodations in work, school, and public life, along with assistive technologies, are vital for promoting independence and inclusion.
Inclusion: Respectful language and continued advocacy are critical for fostering an inclusive society that values the contributions of people with disabilities.

Understanding the Definition of Physical Disability

A physical disability refers to a condition that causes a long-term, significant limitation in a person's physical functioning, mobility, stamina, or dexterity. This can impact a person's ability to perform daily activities, such as walking, sitting, standing, or using their hands and arms. The level of impact can vary dramatically depending on the specific condition, its severity, and the individual's environment. It is not a singular, uniform experience but a spectrum of conditions that can affect anyone at any point in their life. The presence of a physical disability does not, however, preclude a high quality of life; many individuals with physical disabilities are employed, attend school, and lead fulfilling lives with appropriate support and accommodations.

Origins: Congenital vs. Acquired Disabilities

Physical disabilities can be classified based on their origin, which is important for understanding their nature and potential progression. Broadly, they can be either congenital or acquired.

Congenital Disabilities: These are present at or near birth and are often the result of genetic factors or developmental issues during gestation. Examples include Cerebral Palsy (resulting from abnormal brain development or damage) and Spina Bifida (incomplete formation of the spinal cord).
Acquired Disabilities: These develop later in life and are caused by a wide range of factors, including accidents, injuries, illnesses, or degenerative diseases. A spinal cord injury from a car accident or the progression of Multiple Sclerosis are common examples.


Feature	Congenital Disability	Acquired Disability
Onset	Present at birth or shortly after	Develops later in life
Example	Spina Bifida	Spinal Cord Injury from accident
Cause	Genetic factors, birth trauma, developmental issues	Accidents, illness, degenerative disease, infection
Progression	Can be stable or change over time depending on the condition	Can be temporary, permanent, or progressive
Adaptation	Individual and family grow up adapting to the condition	Requires adapting to a new way of life after onset

Example: Cerebral Palsy as a Physical Disability

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is an excellent example of a physical disability, as it clearly illustrates the complex nature of these conditions. It is the most common motor disability in childhood.

What it is: CP is a group of disorders that affect a person's ability to move and maintain posture. It is caused by damage to the developing brain, often occurring before, during, or shortly after birth.
Impact: The effects of CP vary widely. Some individuals may have mild physical challenges, while others may experience severe impairments that affect their entire body. These can include:
- Poor coordination and muscle control.
- Stiffness or spasticity.
- Involuntary movements.
- Balance issues.
Assistive Technology: A person with CP might use a wheelchair for mobility, braces for support, or communication devices to assist with speech. These technologies are crucial for enabling independence.

Challenges and Barriers for Individuals with Physical Disabilities

Individuals with physical disabilities often face systemic barriers to inclusion and full participation in society. These challenges extend beyond the physical limitations of their condition.

1. Attitudinal Barriers

Negative attitudes, stereotypes, and prejudices can lead to discrimination and stigma. This can result in social isolation and significantly impact mental health. Common attitudinal barriers include:

Stereotyping: Assuming a person's quality of life is poor or that their disability defines them.
Pity: Viewing a person with a disability as an object of pity rather than an individual with full agency.
Lack of Awareness: Unawareness of the difficulties faced can limit participation in daily activities.

2. Physical Environmental Barriers

Despite progress, many environments remain inaccessible. These physical barriers create significant hurdles to daily life.

Steps or curbs blocking building entrances.
Lack of accessible transportation.
Inaccessible restrooms or workspaces.

3. Programmatic and Social Barriers

Services and policies can hinder involvement. For example, inconvenient scheduling for medical appointments or lack of accessible equipment in healthcare settings are programmatic barriers. Socially, high unemployment and lower income rates are significant issues.

Empowering Individuals with Support and Accommodations

Providing proper support and reasonable accommodations is crucial for mitigating the barriers faced by people with physical disabilities. These measures foster independence, inclusion, and a higher quality of life.

Accommodations at Work and School

Workplace: Employers can offer accommodations such as accessible workstations, modified work schedules, or assistive technologies to ensure equal opportunity.
Educational Settings: Schools and universities can provide physical access, specialized equipment, and other supports to ensure a person can fully participate in their education.

Technological and Medical Advancements

Assistive Technology: Modern devices, from voice-activated computing to mobility scooters, significantly enhance independence.
Rehabilitation: Physical and occupational therapy can help individuals with conditions like arthritis or stroke regain movement and manage symptoms.

The Importance of Advocacy

Organizations and individuals advocating for rights and inclusion are essential. Legislation like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has helped to drive progress, but continued advocacy is needed to ensure full societal inclusion. Learning to use respectful language is also important for fostering a more inclusive environment. The National Center on Disability and Journalism provides excellent guidelines for writing and speaking about people with disabilities respectfully. This includes using person-first language and avoiding outdated or demeaning terms.

Conclusion

Physical disability is a diverse and complex aspect of health that encompasses a wide range of conditions affecting mobility, dexterity, and stamina. Understanding what physical disability is and giving examples like Cerebral Palsy helps to demystify the topic and shed light on the challenges and successes of individuals within this community. By promoting education, fostering accessibility, and providing thoughtful accommodations, society can move closer to true inclusion, ensuring that individuals with physical disabilities can thrive and contribute their unique talents and perspectives to the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

While it varies, conditions like Arthritis are among the most common physical disabilities, particularly for adults. For children, Cerebral Palsy is the most common motor disability.

No, physical disabilities can be permanent, temporary, or episodic. Some, like a spinal cord injury, might be permanent, while others can improve over time with treatment.

A qualified physician, often in a specialized field, typically makes a diagnosis. This can involve medical evaluations, physical examinations, and diagnostic testing.

Yes, many individuals experience multiple disabilities, including physical, visual, auditory, and cognitive impairments. Some conditions, like Cerebral Palsy, can have related disabilities.

A physical impairment refers to the specific physiological or anatomical issue, while a physical disability describes the limitation that the impairment creates in daily life due to environmental or societal barriers.

Accommodations can include ramps, accessible restrooms, adjustable workstations, modified work schedules, and assistive technologies like screen readers or voice-activated software.

Person-first language emphasizes the individual over their condition (e.g., 'a person with a disability' instead of 'a disabled person'). It is a respectful choice that focuses on a person's humanity. Some within the disability community also prefer identity-first language ('disabled person') to express pride, so it's best to ask an individual their preference.