What distinguishes a disability from an impairment?

The correct answer highlights an important distinction in how we understand and define disability and impairment. Disability specifically refers to the limitations someone may face in performing certain tasks or activities due to physical or mental conditions. This can manifest as difficulty in mobility, communication, or social interactions. On the other hand, impairment refers to the actual loss or abnormality of a body structure or function, which can be a physical, mental, or sensory condition.

For example, an individual with a physical impairment such as a spinal cord injury may experience a disability that affects their mobility and ability to perform daily activities. This shows how someone can have an impairment that leads to specific disabilities in their life. The nuances in these definitions are critical for creating inclusive environments and understanding the needs of individuals with disabilities in various contexts, such as fitness and rehabilitation.

In contrast, other choices present conflated or incomplete concepts that do not accurately define the relationship between disability and impairment. For instance, the idea that disability is temporary while impairment is permanent is misleading, as disabilities can be both temporary or permanent and not all impairments necessarily lead to a disability. Likewise, asserting that disability is strictly a legal term while impairment is medical does not capture the full scope of how these terms are applied in everyday