Which of the following is a physical disability?: An In-Depth Look at Conditions and Support

October 2, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the CDC, over 61 million US adults live with a disability, with mobility impairments being the most common. Understanding the answer to the question, Which of the following is a physical disability?, is the first step toward greater awareness and support for people with varying conditions. This guide provides a comprehensive overview.

Quick Summary

A physical disability is any physiological condition, anatomical loss, or disorder that significantly affects a person's physical capacity, mobility, stamina, or dexterity. This encompasses a broad range of conditions, from congenital disorders to those acquired later in life through injury or illness, all of which can substantially limit major life activities.

Key Points

Definition: A physical disability is a condition affecting a person's body systems that substantially limits major life activities, such as movement, seeing, or hearing.
Diverse Types: Categories include mobility impairments (e.g., spinal cord injury), musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., muscular dystrophy), neurological conditions (e.g., cerebral palsy), and sensory impairments (e.g., blindness).
Causes: Disabilities can be present from birth (congenital) or acquired later in life due to injury, illness, or other factors.
Overlap with Mental Health: A person can have both physical and mental disabilities, and conditions can impact each other (e.g., a stroke affecting both mobility and cognitive function).
Support and Technology: Assistive technologies like wheelchairs and screen readers, along with reasonable accommodations, are crucial for promoting independence and accessibility.

Defining a Physical Disability

In the broadest sense, a physical disability is an impairment that affects a person's physical function. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a physical impairment is “any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more body systems”. This can include the neurological, musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, and other systems. It is not limited to visible impairments; many physical disabilities are "hidden" or invisible to an observer, such as some forms of arthritis or heart conditions.

The key criterion is that the condition substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as walking, seeing, hearing, or performing manual tasks. This can impact a person's daily life in countless ways, affecting their ability to work, learn, or interact with their community. The severity and impact can vary widely from person to person, even among those with the same diagnosis.

Major Types of Physical Disabilities

Physical disabilities are a diverse group of conditions that can be categorized by their primary impact on the body. Some of the most common types include:

Mobility Impairments: These are conditions that affect a person's ability to move. They are among the most recognized forms of physical disability and can result from spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, amputation, or chronic arthritis. Mobility aids like wheelchairs, walkers, and canes are common assistive devices.
Musculoskeletal Disorders: These involve the muscles, bones, and joints. Examples include muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder causing progressive muscle weakness, and arthritis, which causes joint inflammation and pain.
Neurological Disabilities: These affect the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord, leading to impaired movement, sensation, and coordination. Examples include cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis (MS), and epilepsy. Conditions like a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or a stroke can also result in long-term neurological disabilities.
Sensory Impairments: This category includes significant vision and hearing loss. While often discussed separately, they are recognized as physical disabilities under the ADA when they substantially limit a major life activity.

Causes of Physical Disabilities

Physical disabilities can be either congenital, meaning they are present from birth, or acquired later in life due to external factors.

Congenital Disabilities: These can arise from genetic factors, complications during pregnancy (like maternal illness or substance exposure), or issues during the birth process (like oxygen deprivation). Spina bifida and certain forms of cerebral palsy are examples.
Acquired Disabilities: These develop after birth and can be caused by a variety of events, including:
- Accidents and Injuries: Traumatic events like car crashes or falls can lead to spinal cord injuries, amputations, or traumatic brain injuries.
- Illness or Disease: Many illnesses can cause permanent physical limitations. This includes conditions like multiple sclerosis, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.
- Age-related Conditions: Conditions like severe arthritis often develop or worsen with age.

Physical vs. Mental Disabilities: A Comparison

While the distinction may seem clear, there is often significant overlap. A person can have both a physical and a mental disability. For instance, a stroke can cause a physical mobility impairment as well as a cognitive or emotional impairment. Both are defined by their substantial limitation of major life activities.


Feature	Physical Disability	Mental Disability
Primary Impact	Affects the body's physiological functions and anatomy.	Affects mental or psychological processes.
Examples	Cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, amputation, arthritis.	Intellectual disability, mental illness, emotional illness.
Common Limitations	Walking, standing, lifting, speaking, seeing, hearing.	Concentrating, thinking, communicating, managing emotions.
Overlap	Can lead to mental health conditions like depression or anxiety.	Mental illness can sometimes manifest with physical symptoms.

The Role of Assistive Technology and Accommodations

For people with physical disabilities, life is often made more accessible and independent with the help of assistive technology and reasonable accommodations. Assistive technology includes everything from simple mobility aids to complex electronic communication devices.

Assistive Technology Examples:

Mobility: Wheelchairs, mobility scooters, walkers, canes.
Communication: Screen readers for visual impairments, communication devices for speech impairments, hearing aids.
Daily Living: Grab bars, adaptive eating utensils, stair lifts.

Accommodations are modifications made to an environment or process to ensure equal opportunity. Under the ADA, these must be provided in employment settings unless they cause undue hardship. They can include modifying work schedules, altering work areas, or providing accessible equipment.

Conclusion

Understanding what constitutes a physical disability is essential for fostering an inclusive and supportive society. A wide range of conditions, both congenital and acquired, can lead to physical impairments that substantially limit major life activities. By recognizing these challenges and embracing the use of assistive technology and appropriate accommodations, we can help ensure that individuals with physical disabilities can live full and rewarding lives. For more detailed information on disability rights and regulations, an authoritative source is the U.S. Department of Justice's Guide to Disability Rights Laws, available at https://www.ada.gov/resources/disability-rights-guide/.

Frequently Asked Questions

Within the context of mobility, a physical disability could be a spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, or the result of an amputation. These conditions all impact a person's ability to move, walk, or perform manual tasks.

Yes, epilepsy is a neurological condition often recognized as a physical disability under laws like the ADA. While seizures are the most visible symptom, the underlying neurological disorder and its effects can substantially limit major life activities.

A temporary injury like a broken leg can be considered a disability if its severity and duration are significant enough to substantially limit a major life activity for a long period. Short-term, minor impairments generally do not qualify.

Physical disabilities primarily affect the body's physical functions, while mental disabilities primarily affect mental or psychological processes. However, both can impact major life activities, and a person may have both types.

A congenital disability is one that a person has from birth, often due to genetic factors or issues during gestation. An acquired disability is one that develops later in life due to an injury, illness, or other external cause.

You can't. Many physical disabilities are not outwardly visible, sometimes called "hidden" disabilities. These can include conditions like severe arthritis, heart disease, or chronic fatigue syndrome. It is always best to avoid making assumptions.

Yes, significant visual and hearing impairments are considered physical disabilities, especially if they substantially limit a major life activity. These are often categorized as sensory impairments, a sub-type of physical disability.