In Australia, the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) defines disability, in relation to a person, as:

• total or partial loss of the person's bodily or mental functions, or
• total or partial loss of a part of the body; or
• the presence in the body of organisms causing disease or illness; or
• the malfunction, malformation or disfigurement of a part of the person's body; or
• a disorder or malfunction that results in the person learning differently from a person without a disorder or malfunction; or
• a disorder, illness or disease that affects a person's thought processes, perception of reality, emotions or judgement, or that results in a disturbed behaviour;

Increasing our own disability awareness allows us to recognise and remove barriers which are disempowering. For example, if there are stairs at the front of a building, this is a potential barrier for people with disability. By including a ramp and rails, you remove a potential barrier for entering the building.

A contemporary view of disability acknowledges a person has a disability, but that it is the barriers within society such as negative attitudes, inaccessible buildings, or unsuitable communication methods, which prevent people with disability from fully participating in all aspects of community life.

In Australia, the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) defines disability, in relation to a person, as:

• total or partial loss of the person's bodily or mental functions, or
• total or partial loss of a part of the body; or
• the presence in the body of organisms causing disease or illness; or
• the malfunction, malformation or disfigurement of a part of the person's body; or
• a disorder or malfunction that results in the person learning differently from a person without a disorder or malfunction; or
• a disorder, illness or disease that affects a person's thought processes, perception of reality, emotions or judgement, or that results in a disturbed behaviour;

Increasing our own disability awareness allows us to recognise and remove barriers which are disempowering. For example, if there are stairs at the front of a building, this is a potential barrier for people with disability. By including a ramp and rails, you remove a potential barrier for entering the building.

A contemporary view of disability acknowledges a person has a disability, but that it is the barriers within society such as negative attitudes, inaccessible buildings, or unsuitable communication methods, which prevent people with disability from fully participating in all aspects of community life.