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Affirmative Action - Distinction Between Disability and Handicap
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Distinction between
Disability and Handicap

A Disability is a condition caused by an accident, trauma, genetics or disease which may limit a person's mobility, hearing, vision, speech or mental function. Some people with disabilities have one or more disabilities.

A Handicap is a physical or attitudinal constraint that is imposed upon a person, regardless of whether that person has a disability. Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines handicap as to put at a disadvantage.

Example:
 

Some people with disabilities use wheelchairs. Stairs, narrow doorways and curbs are handicaps imposed upon people with disabilities who use wheelchairs.

People with disabilities have all manner of disabling conditions:


Miller Building, Room 301, Phone: (607) 753-2302, Fax: (607) 753-5994E-mail: hr@cortland.edu