How do third-year medical students of the Medical University in Lublin understand the term 'disability'?

Disabilities have existed since the beginning of human race. There are many definitions of the term. The aim of the work was to check the knowledge of medical students about disabilities. The study was conducted with the use of a questionnaire. 151 third year medical students were interviewed. The majority of the students judged blind and deaf people as disabled, fewer--people with partial deafness and dimness of vision, even fewer--the handicapped and mentally diseased ones. The majority called people on wheelchairs disabled. Only 11.92% know that the European Year of People Living with Disabilities is held in 2003. Medical students represent poor knowledge about disabilities and they need education in the field.