Andrew Law, 18, Jonathan Jackson, 19, and Andrew Gorton, 21, were branded "depraved, sadistic, brutal and evil" by Judge Jonathan Durham Hall, who also told them that legislation meant - "with regret" - he could not pass life sentences.
Law, of Bedford Street, Todmorden, was sent to a young offenders' institution for 12 years. Jackson, of Robinwood Terrace, Todmorden, and Gorton, of Burnley Road, Portsmouth, were jailed for 11 years each.
After drinking heavily, the three ambushed cerebral palsy sufferer Damien Shepherd "for fun" on Burnley Road, Todmorden, in a vicious attack that has left him with a brain injury and in a wheelchair.
Addressing the attackers, Judge Durham Hall said: "Not only did you know him, you knew he was vulnerable and had cerebral palsy or some infirmity which made him stagger. One, or all of you, did not like him and what he represented.
"Now that is depravity. It is sadism. It is brutality and it is evil. You have shattered the life of a fellow human being."
Nadim Bashir, prosecuting, said Mr Shepherd, 43, of Cornholme, was pushed to the ground then dragged out of sight and given a "severe kicking". Unconscious and covered in blood, he was taken to hospital where he spent a month in intensive care.
Mr Bashir said: "He sustained a severe traumatic brain injury and continues to require a huge amount of care."
Mr Shepherd was unable to give evidence himself. Two statements by his sister, Bernadette Shepherd, were read in court. She described how he had been in a coma for two weeks and had no memory of his former life.
Law flagged down a police car a few days later on May 3 and handed himself in. Police arrested Jackson and Gorton.
The court heard a week earlier the gang had targeted cyclist Thomas Croft, 25, near the same spot.
He was knocked off his bike and attacked but managed to run off. He flagged down a car for help but to his horror found it was carrying his attackers, who set on him again.
All three admitted assaulting Mr Croft. Jackson and Gorton admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm on Mr Shepherd with intent. Law was convicted after a trial.
Ian Howard, for Gorton, said: "He holds himself in perhaps more contempt than does Your Honour."
Adrian Strong, for Law, said: "He could not live with himself and that is why he went to police."
Alexander Wolfson, for Jackson, said: "Nobody cannot at least shed internal tears when they hear Ms Shepherd's statement."
Speaking after the conclusion of the case, Det Insp Tony Nicholson, of Calderdale CID, said: "The cowardly assault on Mr Shepherd, a vulnerable man, by three young, fit individuals disgusted all of the police officers involved in this case.
"Mr Shepherd was a visibly disabled man who had no connection whatsoever to his three drunken attackers who had, it would appear, decided to attack any passer-by on that night.
"Mr Shepherd will carry the long term effects of that attack for the rest of his life. Detectives in this case have forged a close relationship with the Shepherd family and our thoughts are with the family. We hope that these sentences provide some comfort to them.
"I also hope that they serve as a deterrent to other young men in Calderdale who consider drunken violence to be part of a night out. The consequences of such behaviour for both victims and perpetrators can be extremely serious."
Miss Shepherd said the attackers have wrecked her brother's life. She regularly visits him at the rehabilitation centre where he is still recovering.
Speaking to the press she said: "What has happened has devastated Damien's life and the lives of people who love him. He is still my brother but they have taken such a big part of him away.
"He battled so hard against cerebral palsy to live an independent life. What has happened is a tragedy and injustice.
"In a few years his attackers will be able to put this behind them and move on. But I'm not sure whether Damien will ever be able to do the same."
Mr Shepherd's injuries, which included a fractured skull and eye socket, as well as a huge gash along his face, were so severe it was feared he would die. When she went to the hospital, Miss Shepherd said he was virtually unrecognisable.
He spent a month in intensive care at Royal Oldham Hospital before being transferred to a high-dependency unit for another month.
He was then moved to a rehabilitation centre at Calderdale Royal Hospital and then to Rakehead in Burnley, his current home.
Miss Shepherd said the mental scars he has been left with have been just as damaging as his physical injuries. She said: "Damien used to be so talkative, love drawing and taking his dogs for walks around Todmorden. But he is nothing like that now.
"He is so quiet and withdrawn. He used to have a brilliant memory but now it is very patchy.
"Luckily he can remember nothing of the attack. I just want him to be able to live his life again."