Graded Discussion 4

Task:
Making reference to a plausible human example explain the relationship between
impairment, disability and handicap
Introduction
Impairment, disability and handicap are all interrelated. Impairment is a psychological or
physiological abnormality of the body; disability is not having the ability to perform an activity
in the manner in which is considered to be normal and handicap is a disadvantage that prevents
an individual from doing a normal role, World Health Organization (as cited in Carter, 2014).
Impairment, disability and handicap can affect an individual but the three concepts are all
different.
Relationship between Impairment, Disability and Handicap
Impairment is where a part of the body is affected or is ill. An individual can be impaired
cognitively, physically, visually or aurally (by hearing). This means that the individual may
have a problem with the ability to think and remember things, move, see or hear. According to
Trace (n.d.), there are four major categories of impairment: visual impairment, hearing
impairment, physical impairment and cognitive/language impairment. On the other hand, a
disability is where a part of the body is ill and regular movement and performance of that body
part is restricted. Parts of the body such as the arms and legs can be affected preventing an
individual from using these parts. People who are blind or partially sighted, have learning or
intellectual problems, are deaf or have hearing problems, have physical problems, have long term

illness, have health or psychological difficulties and have acquired brain injury can be termed as
people with a disability (Hill Country Disabled Group, n.d.). Finally, handicap is the restriction
of an individual to perform normal tasks that the individual will normally do. According to Slick
(2014), an individual can be physical or mentally handicap. Here is Toms case that fully
explains the difference between impairment, disability and handicap.
A Plausible Human Example of Impairment, Disability and Handicap
Tom is six years old. Tom got into an accident and damaged the spine and Tom has no
feelings from the waist down to the legs due to damage to the spine. Tom is now unable to get
up and walk. Tom is in a wheel chair. Toms damaged spine is impairment. Toms inability to
walk and move is a disability and Tom not being able to do things like walking, running,
jumping and climbing with friends is being handicap.
Conclusion
Impairment, disability and handicap can affect an individual but the three concepts are all
different. These concepts can affect the growth and development of an individual as he/she is
prevented or unable to perform normal activities due to some form of illness.

Reference
Carter, S. L. (2014). Impairment, Disability and Handicap Emory University. Retrieved from
http://www.pediatrics-emory.edu/.../dpc/Impairment%20MX.html.
Hill Country Disabled Group. (n.d.). What is a Disability? Hill Country Disability Group of
Sri Retrieved from http://www.hcdg.org/definition.htm.
Trace. (n.d.). A Brief Introduction to Disabilities Trace Research and Retrieved from
http://www.trace.wisc.edu/docs/population/populat.htm.
Slick, M. (2014). There are Benefits to having Handicap People in Society. Retrieved from
http://www.cam.org/what-benefit-are-handicapped-people-to-society.