What does "Disability" mean?

Disability can be regarded as a feature of the person, caused by disease, trauma or other health condition, needing medical care. On the other hand, disability can be seen as a socially or environmentally created problem that demands a political response. The new classification by WHO synthesizes what is true in both these models. Here disability and functioning are viewed as outcomes of interactions between health conditions (diseases, disorders and injuries) and external environmental factors (for example, social attitudes, architectural characteristics, legal and social structures); and internal personal factors, (such as gender, age, coping styles, social background, education etc).
More information and the new classication can be accessed at http://www.who.int/classifications/icf/en/

Poverty is both a cause and consequence of disability: Poverty and disability reinforce each other.
Poor nutrition, dangerous working and living conditions, limited access to health and maternity care, poor hygiene, bad sanitation, war and conflict, and natural disasters all cause disability. Children are often disabled as a result of malnutrition.
In turn, disability increases isolation and economic strain. People with disabilities often to do not have access to education and vocational training, and consequently find it extremely difficult to find gainful employment. Children with disabilities are more likely to die young, or be neglected, malnourished and poor.

Disability impacts not just on the individual, but on the whole community. The cost of excluding people with disabilities from participating in community life is high and weighs on society.