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Social Work vocabulary · Adults and Vulnerable Groups

Disability

Meaning in social work, with examples

/ˌdɪsəˈbɪləti/nounCore term

In social work, disability means: A long-term physical, sensory, intellectual or mental health condition that, combined with barriers in society, limits a person's daily activities.

In Turkish: engellilik, engel

How it is used

The social model of disability, widely taught in social work, says people are disabled mainly by barriers such as inaccessible buildings and attitudes. UK English often says 'disabled people'; US and international texts prefer 'people with disabilities'.

Example sentences

  1. The centre helps young adults with a learning disability to live independently.

  2. Disability benefits are assessed on how the condition affects daily life.

Common collocations

  • people with disabilities
  • learning disability
  • physical disability
  • social model of disability
  • disability rights
  • adult social carePractical and personal support for adults who need help because of age, illness or disability, such as home care, day centres and care homes.
  • carerA person, often a family member or friend, who looks after someone who is ill, disabled, older or otherwise in need of support, usually without pay.
  • allowanceA regular sum of money paid by the state or an organisation for a particular purpose, such as caring, disability or education.
  • social exclusionBeing shut out, fully or partly, from the economic, social and cultural life of society, for example from work, services, housing or community activities.

More terms: Adults and Vulnerable Groups

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