Differences between Disability and Handicap

Disability vs. Handicap

The terms disability and handicap are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings. A disability is a functional limitation, while a handicap is a disadvantage that occurs because of that limitation. The distinction between the two is important in understanding the relationship between an individual's condition and their environment. The World Health Organization (WHO) originally distinguished between impairment, disability, and handicap in its 1980 International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities, and Handicaps (ICIDH). In this model, an impairment refers to an abnormality in body structure or function, a disability is the resulting functional limitation, and a handicap is the social or environmental disadvantage experienced due to the disability.

Modern understanding, particularly through the social model of disability, places the emphasis on the role of societal barriers in creating disadvantages. A person with a disability may be handicapped by a flight of stairs if no ramp or elevator is available, but they are not handicapped in a building that is fully accessible. This highlights that the handicap is a product of the environment, not an inherent part of the disability itself.

The use of the word "handicap" is now often considered offensive by many people, who prefer the term disability. The term "handicap" is thought to have origins in a 17th-century game of chance called "hand-in-cap." It was later applied to horse racing, where better horses were given extra weight to carry as a handicap to even the competition. The term began to be applied to people with disabilities in the late 19th century, with the implication of being held back in the "race for life."

Comparison Table

Category	Disability	Handicap
Core Concept	A physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities.	A disadvantage created by an impairment or disability that restricts a person's ability to fulfill a role.
Focus	Relates to the individual's functional limitations.	Relates to the societal and environmental barriers the individual faces.
Nature	A medical or physical state inherent to the person.	A social and environmental condition external to the person.
Example	A person's inability to walk due to a spinal cord injury.	The same person being unable to enter a building because it only has stairs and no ramp.
Modern Usage	The generally accepted and preferred term.	Often considered outdated and offensive; its use has declined.
Solution Implied	Medical treatment or rehabilitation to address the functional limitation.	Removal of societal barriers, such as building ramps or promoting inclusive policies.

Venn diagram comparing Differences between Disability and Handicap

Social Model of Disability

The social model of disability distinguishes between impairment and disability. An impairment is an individual's physical, sensory, or cognitive difference, while disability is the experience of barriers imposed by society. According to this model, a person with an impairment is "disabled" by society's failure to accommodate their needs. For example, a deaf person (impairment) is disabled by the lack of sign language interpreters at a public event (barrier).

This model contrasts with the medical model, which views disability as a problem residing within the individual that needs to be "fixed" or cured. The social model shifts the focus to identifying and dismantling societal barriers to create a more inclusive environment for people with impairments. Removing these barriers reduces or eliminates the handicap, allowing for greater independence and participation in society.