Disability

A disability refers to the lack of, or a reduced, ability or capacity to perform certain tasks or functions that are assumed to be or regarded as achievable or necessary, resulting in certain challenges to an individual's life or involvement in the life of society. Many types of disabilities exist, including physical, developmental, cognitive, sensory, and intellectual disabilities. Despite the challenges posed by such disabilities, many of them can be managed or accommodated, potentially allowing individuals to live complete and fulfilling lives. The Bahá'í Writings affirm that disabilities occurring in the body or mind do not affect the human soul:

“ Know thou that the soul of man is exalted above, and is independent of all infirmities of body or mind. That a sick person showeth signs of weakness is due to the hindrances that interpose themselves between his soul and his body, for the soul itself remaineth unaffected by any bodily ailments. Consider the light of the lamp. Though an external object may interfere with its radiance, the light itself continueth to shine with undiminished power. ” — Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh