A disability is a societal imposition on people who have impairments, making it more difficult for people to do certain activities or interact with the world around them. Due to cognitive, developmental, intellectual, mental, physical, and/or sensory differences, disabled people are “unnecessarily isolated and excluded from full participation in society.” As a result of impairments, people with disabilities can experience disablement from birth, or may be labeled as disabled during their lifetime. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities defines disability as:long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder [a person's] full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.
