According to the Macau Law 33/99/M , disability is defined as a biological, physical, psychological, or intellectual impairment that results in a substantial limitation on or complete loss of functioning of the individuals, thereby undermining the persons’ ability to perform activities that are considered normal to the average people of the same sex, age, and socio-cultural background.

A temporary impairment or diagnosis does not constitute a disability. The severity of disability must substantially limit activities of daily living.

At the University of Macau, students with disabilities include those who have physical, visual, hearing, speech, learning, and psychological impairments which substantially limit their learning and/or activities of daily living.