There is no single definition of disability in use in the UK. These are all the current definitions and how they are used.
Disability and education
Physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities
This is used to define those people covered by the disability sections of the Equality Act 2010.
Disability and independent living
Physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities
This is used to define those people covered by the disability sections of the Equality Act 2010.
Substantially and permanently disabled
This is used for registering as disabled with a local authority social care department. Under the Care Act 2014 local authorities must establish and maintain a register of sight-impaired and severely sight-impaired adults.
Local authorities also have the discretion to maintain a register of adults with other disabilities or health conditions, which the authority considers may, in the future, give rise to needs for care and support.
Disability and benefits /council tax
Disability living allowance, personal independence payment and attendance allowance each have their own tests of disability.
Limited capability for work
This is used for employment and support allowance and the work capability elements of universal credit
Degree of disablement
This is used for industrial injuries disablement benefit, war disablement pension and vaccine damage payments.
Substantially and permanently disabled
This is used for getting a disability reduction in your council tax
More information
You can find out more detailed information in our Disability Rights Handbook. This and all our other publications are available from our shop at https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/shop. You can also place orders by contacting Disability Rights UK.
You can get help and information at your local advice centre, such as a Citizens Advice Bureau. You can get more information about where to get personal advice from our Factsheet F15 - Getting advice. All our factsheets are free to download on our website at disabilityrightsuk.org.
September 2021