The now widely accepted “social” model of disability allows us to better understand how the lives of persons with disabilities are shaped by the interplay of individuals' specific impairments and the prevailing beliefs, attitudes, and assumptions of the societies in which they live. Over a billion people—15 percent of the world's population—live with a disability, and people with disabilities routinely (but not always) are among the most marginalized members of society. Anthropology can contribute significantly to better understanding how society shapes and interprets disability.