1.
obstacle, impediment, hindrance
Something that blocks progress or makes something difficult.
2.
disability, impairment
A physical or mental condition that limits a person's abilities.
We should aim for a society where people with disabilities can live comfortably. By promoting barrier-free design, we can create an environment where everyone can thrive.
障害 has two main meanings: obstacle/hindrance and disability/impairment.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS (sense 1, obstacle):
- 障害になる (to become an obstacle)
- 障害を乗り越える (to overcome an obstacle)
- 通信障害 (communication failure/outage)
- システム障害 (system failure)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS (sense 2, disability):
- 身体障害 (physical disability)
- 知的障害 (intellectual disability)
- 視覚障害 (visual impairment)
- 聴覚障害 (hearing impairment)
- 障害者 (person with disability)
Writing
Some organizations and individuals prefer writing 障がい instead of 障害 to avoid the negative connotation of the kanji 害 (harm).
Note: 障害 and 生涯 (lifetime) are homophones.