British Columbia Basic Security Training (BC BST) Practice Exam 2024

What is defined as a reduction in a person's functional capacity?

1. A disability

2. An impairment

3. A handicap

4. A limitation

The correct answer is: A disability

The correct answer is a disability. In the context of health and functioning, a disability typically refers to a condition that results in a significant reduction in an individual's ability to perform certain activities or tasks within their environment. This definition encompasses a broad spectrum of physical, mental, and sensory impairments that can impact a person’s daily life and functional capacity. While the terms impairment, handicap, and limitation may sound similar, they represent different concepts. Impairment often describes specific losses or deviations in physiological function or structure, whereas handicap refers to disadvantages in social, occupational, or other environments due to an impairment or disability. Limitation usually denotes restrictions in an individual's ability to perform specific activities, but is not as comprehensive as the term disability in encapsulating the broader range of functional capacity reductions.