Disability

An ongoing impairment — physical, sensory, cognitive, intellectual or psychosocial — that affects how a person does everyday activities.

What it means

In the NDIS context, disability is not simply a diagnosis or a medical label. It is understood as what happens when an impairment interacts with barriers in the world around a person. An impairment might be physical, sensory, cognitive, intellectual or psychosocial. When that impairment meets barriers, such as inaccessible buildings, inflexible services or attitudes, it can affect how a person does everyday activities and takes part in community, work and family life.

This way of thinking is often called the social or functional model of disability. Rather than asking only 'what condition does this person have?', the NDIS asks 'how does this affect what the person can do day to day?'. Disability can be lifelong, such as a condition someone is born with, or acquired later in life through injury, illness or a change in health.

In practice

Because the NDIS focuses on functional impact, two people with the same diagnosis can have very different experiences and very different support needs. One person may need daily help with personal care and getting around, while another with the same condition may be largely independent. The Scheme looks at areas of everyday function, such as mobility, communication, self-care, learning, social interaction and self-management.

For participants and families, this means the paperwork and conversations tend to centre on real-life impact. When you describe a disability to the NDIA, it helps to explain how it changes ordinary tasks and routines, not just to name the condition. This functional focus shapes access decisions and the kinds of supports that may be funded to help a person build skills, independence and participation.

A real example

For example, Priya has low vision that means she cannot read standard print or drive. With the right supports, such as screen-reader software and orientation and mobility training, she works full time and travels independently. Her disability is understood not only by her eye condition, but by how it affects her daily activities and the barriers she meets.

Disability — FAQs

Is disability the same as a diagnosis?
No. A diagnosis names a condition, while disability in the NDIS sense is about how an impairment affects everyday functioning and participation. The NDIS focuses on functional impact rather than the label alone. Two people with the same diagnosis can have very different support needs, which is why the Scheme looks closely at how daily life is affected.
What types of impairment can lead to disability under the NDIS?
Impairments may be physical, sensory, cognitive, intellectual or psychosocial. Any of these can interact with barriers in the environment to affect how a person carries out everyday activities. The NDIS considers the impact of the impairment on function, so it is the effect on daily life and participation that matters most, not simply which category the impairment falls under.
Can a disability be acquired later in life?
Yes. Disability can be lifelong, meaning present from birth or early life, or acquired later through injury, illness or a change in health. Both are recognised by the NDIS. What matters for the Scheme is the functional impact of the impairment and, in many cases, whether it is likely to be permanent, rather than when it began.
Why does the NDIS focus on functional impact?
The NDIS focuses on functional impact because supports are meant to help with real, everyday life. Knowing how a disability affects tasks like self-care, mobility, communication and social participation helps identify what would genuinely help a person. This approach recognises that the same diagnosis can affect people very differently, so support can be tailored to individual needs rather than the label.
Do environmental barriers really count as part of disability?
Yes. In the NDIS understanding, disability results from an impairment interacting with barriers in the world, such as inaccessible places, rigid services or unhelpful attitudes. These barriers can increase how much an impairment limits everyday life. Recognising this helps explain why supports often aim to reduce barriers and build independence, not only to address the impairment itself.

Explore more NDIS resources

Official NDIS sources

Novida is an independent directory, not the NDIA. We explain each form in plain English and link you to the official copy — always download and submit the current version from the official website, as forms are updated from time to time.