Which statement best differentiates impairment from disability?

• A. An impairment is a societal limitation; disability is a structural defect.
• B. An impairment is a loss or abnormality of structure or function, while a disability is the resulting inability to carry out a specific task.
• C. Disability is a temporary condition; impairment is permanent.
• D. Impairment means inability to perform tasks; disability is a loss of function.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that impairment refers to a loss or abnormality in the structure or function of the body, while disability describes the resulting limitation in performing activities or tasks because of that impairment. This distinction matters because it separates the medical/biological condition from its practical impact on daily functioning. The statement that best differentiates them captures this cause–effect relationship: an impairment is a bodily loss or abnormality, and a disability is the inability to carry out a specific task as a consequence of that impairment.

Think of it this way: an impairment might be a reduced function in a limb or an abnormality in a body part, and the disability is how that impairment limits what you can do, such as grip strength affecting the ability to hold or manipulate objects. This framing is consistent with widely used models that separate body structures/functions from activity limitations and participation restrictions. The other options mix up the roles—for example, impairment is not a societal limitation, disability is not a structural defect, conditions aren’t strictly temporary or permanent by definition, and impairment is not inherently the inability to perform tasks (that latter is the disability).