A disability is a physical, mental, or developmental condition that makes certain activities more difficult or requires different ways of doing things. Someone might have trouble seeing, hearing, walking, learning, or communicating in the ways most people do. Disabilities can be present from birth, develop over time, or result from an injury or illness.

What makes something a disability is how it affects daily life and what accommodations might help. A student with dyslexia might need more time to read, but that doesn't make them less intelligent or capable. Someone who uses a wheelchair can't climb stairs the same way others do, but they can navigate the world effectively when buildings have ramps and elevators. A person who is deaf might use sign language to communicate instead of spoken words.

People with disabilities often face two kinds of challenges: the disability itself and the barriers created when society isn't designed with everyone in mind. When schools provide accommodations like extra time on tests or audiobooks, when buildings include ramps, and when websites work with screen readers, these barriers shrink. Many people with disabilities lead full, successful lives as scientists, athletes, artists, teachers, and everything else.

The word can also describe a legal status that protects people from discrimination and ensures they receive necessary support and accommodations. Laws exist to guarantee that people with disabilities have equal opportunities in school, work, and public spaces.