9.20 Definition: Disability is an umbrella term that refers to a wide range of physical, mental, and emotional impairments that limit a person's ability to participate in activities of daily life. Disability can be short-term or lifelong, and can be caused by a medical condition, accident, or injury. Types of disability can include physical disabilities, such as paralysis, blindness, and deafness; cognitive disabilities, such as learning disabilities, autism, and intellectual disability; psychological disabilities, such as depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder; and developmental disabilities, such as cerebral palsy and Down syndrome.