The difference between disability and impairment: A distinction worth making

American employers pay far too much for workplace disability. In part, disability expenditures continue to increase because key decision-makers in work organizations do not understand the difference between impairment and disability. Impairment is a medical issue. Disability is a non-medical concept; a vocational issue. Disability can be managed like any other vocational problem. Managing disability in the workplace is a function of employer commitment and planned team effort. Managing disability can save employers substantial costs.