• A disability is a condition that renders a person incapacitated in some way so that he or she is unable to carry out normal activities. The definition of “disability” in disability income policies varies considerably and should be carefully considered. Disability can be total, partial, permanent, temporary, or a combination of both. In the context of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), “disability” is defined as a documented or perceived physical or mental impairment that significantly limits one or more of a person’s basic life functions.