The 6 differences between Disability and Disability (explained)

It is common to see how In colloquial language, the terms disability and disability are used interchangeably.. Although they may seem synonymous, their meaning is different and it is important to know their differences.

The importance of this distinction is well known, since it has implications in the field of occupational health and safety. On the one hand, incapacity (also known as invalidity) refers to a worker unable to carry out their usual work activity, despite receiving health care. Generally, disabled people are disabled due to illness or accident.

Conversely, Persons with disabilities are those who have a permanent impairment which may or may not be congenital, which significantly reduces their physical, mental or sensory abilities. All this means that the possibilities of educational, labor or social integration are reduced.

Despite their respective differences, both scenarios require the implementation of measures that allow people with disabilities and disabilities to have the best possible quality of life. It is not easy to live day to day with physical or mental limitations that the rest do not have, so it is essential to provide support and resources to those who go through a situation like this.

It is for this reason that the state offers aid to people with disabilities so that they can study with the support of scholarships, get a job thanks to reserved places or obtain housing adapted to the needs of the person in a less expensive way. For its part, people with disabilities are entitled to certain compensatory financial aid, as it is common for them to leave their jobs due to their condition. Due to the importance of differentiating both concepts, in this article we are going to comment on the differences between disability and disability.

What is disability?

First of all, it is important to define what disability is. A person with a disability is understood to be one who has a deficiency (congenital or not) that reduces their physical, mental or sensory abilities. Therefore, disabled people will find it difficult to achieve their educational, work or social integration.

Disabilities must be recognized and classified depending on their cause. We can talk about physical, mental, sensory disability, etc. In addition, a great diversity can also be observed in terms of the degree of severity. For this reason, the degree of affectation of each person can be determined by means of percentages.

This calculation is made using standardized criteria that allow each individual with a disability to be given a precise quantification of their condition. To specify the degree of disability of each person, not only the person's deficits are assessed, but also their family environment and their employment, educational and cultural situation.

Anyone can request recognition of their disability as long as they meet a series of minimum criteria, regardless of whether or not you are working. When this is finally recognized, the person obtains an official certificate that indicates it. In the case of Spain, the body that usually manages everything related to the recognition of disability is the IMSERSO.

What is disability?

We speak of disability when a worker is prevented from carrying out his work activity normally, despite having received health care. Usually, people who suffer some type of disability do so due to an accident or illness. Not all people who suffer from disability do so in the same way. Thus, different types of disability can be distinguished:

• Temporary disability: is one in which the worker cannot perform his job due to illness or accident.
• partial permanent disability: In this case, the person's job performance is reduced by a minimum of 33% permanently over time.
• total permanent disability: the worker cannot return to work, although he can carry out other types of jobs.
• Absolute permanent disability: the worker cannot return to work in any type of profession.

In this case, the body that regulates disability management is the National Social Security Institute. From this entity they recognize situations of incapacity and the financial benefit that corresponds in each case.

Disability and disability: how are they different?

Now that we have defined what incapacity and disability are, respectively, we are going to analyze the key differences between the two concepts.

1. Scope of affectation

When we talk about a person suffering from some type of disability, this means that they cannot perform their job duties, either totally or partially. In other words, it is a concept that is always linked to employment.

But nevertheless, disability is not a concept exclusively linked to work. Having a disability is a much broader fact, since it refers to the fact that an individual encounters problems in carrying out activities that, according to their age, sex and cultural context, they should be able to carry out without difficulty.

2. Organizations that manage them

As we have already mentioned, disability and incapacity are managed by different bodies. In the case of disability, it is normally the IMSERSO that carries out the assessment and recognition of this condition. However, disability is declared by the National Social Security Institute (INSS), which assesses the amount that the person should receive as a benefit.

3. Tax benefits

Another big difference between the two has to do with the tax benefits that are obtained. In the case of disability, when it is greater than 33%, benefits are received in VAT, personal income tax, circulation tax and registration. Therefore, people with disabilities can enjoy taxi vouchers, reserved parking spaces, benefits to purchase orthopedic material and also to get a home.

Conversely, disability does not carry tax benefits. The person receives a disability pension, a monthly amount that is calculated according to the existing regulatory base while the person worked. The only exception in which tax benefits are received is absolute permanent disability.

4. Economic benefit

On the one hand, disability entitles the person to receive a pension or financial benefit, whether temporary or permanent. Disabled people cannot carry out their work, so they must receive a monthly amount from Social Security. This amount will not depend on the financial resources available to the affected person.

On the other hand, disability can be accompanied by subsidies, but this does not always happen. For this, a series of requirements must be met. For example, there must be more than 65% disability. In this case, it should be noted that the money will not come from Social Security, as is the case with the disability pension.

5. Disability is not synonymous with not working

As we said before, disability implies that the person cannot continue carrying out their work activity, either temporarily or permanently. However, this does not always happen in disability. People with disabilities can manage to function in their jobs satisfactorilyso their condition does not always imply being inactive at work.

6. Disability does not prevent all daily activities

When a person experiences disability, they are no longer able to carry out their work normally. Although this may lead us to believe that he will no longer be able to do many other things, this is not necessarily the case. Disability is a relative concept, since someone may not be able to perform a specific task and, nevertheless, be perfectly valid to perform others. Therefore, many disabled individuals can function without any difficulty in their daily lives.

In disability, the opposite happens. Although many people with disabilities can reach work without problem, it is true that many times people with this condition may need help from others to perform essential tasks such as washing, eating or moving.

Conclusions

In this article we have talked about two concepts usually used as synonyms and that, however, are different. We talk about disability and disability. Establishing the difference between the two clearly is very important, since each condition has great implications at the economic, labor, social, etc..

Disability occurs when a person is no longer able to carry out their usual work activity normally, either temporarily or permanently. There are those who have the possibility of looking for a different job where they can function well, while others have a severe disability that limits the performance of any type of work. These people must therefore leave the labor market, for which they have the right to receive a monthly economic benefit regardless of their resources.

However, the concept of disability is much broader than the previous one. People with disabilities have deficiencies (congenital or not) that impair their physical, mental and/or sensory abilities. For this reason, we are talking about people who may find it difficult to integrate at a social, work or educational level.

The essential differences between the two have to do with the bodies that regulate their recognition, the areas of life on which they affect, the associated tax benefits, the existence of economic benefits and the ability to function in daily life.

In any case, living with either condition can be very hard, so it is essential that these people receive the support and resources they need.