Level of disability

The World Health Organization (WHO) International Classification of Functioning for Disability and Health (ICF) defines disability as the result of the interaction between a person’s impairment and their environment.6

This is a biopsychosocial model of health and disability, combining both the medical and social models of disability. The ranges of disability encompass mild, moderate, severe and complete impairment. To measure health and disability, the ICF uses the domains of: 6,[7]

  • Body function
  • Activities and participation
  • Environment (physical, political, social and attitudinal) 
  • Body structure
  • Healthcare needs of people with intellectual disability.
Back to top