Disability definition,classification,grading and assessment in disability eligibility:an ICF and ICD-11 frame-work perspective
YANG Yaru
QIU Zhuoying
CHEN Di
LÜ Jun
TIAN Yifan
ZHANG Aimin
Abstract：Objective Utilizing the International Classification of Functioning,Disability and Health(ICF)framework and Interna-tional Classification of Diseases,the 11th Revision(ICD-11)system,alongside evidence from World Health Or-ganization(WHO)global reports and technical reports from relevant countries,this study systematically exam-ines the definitions,classifications,grading,and assessment methods for visual,hearing,speech,physical,intel-lectual,and mental(psychiatric)disabilities.
Methods Employing the ICF's biopsychosocial model,classification,and coding system and ICD-11,and referencing WHO global reports and national technical reports,this study systematically investigated the definitions,classifi-cations,grading and assessment approaches for six prevalent disabilities:visual,hearing,speech,physical,intel-lectual and mental.
Results The ICF and ICD-11model and classification system offered a robust framework for defining,classifying,grad-ing and assessing disabilities.Disability definitions should address body function impairments,activity limita-tions,participation restrictions and environmental factors.The definitions,classifications and grading of visual,hearing,speech,physical,intellectual and mental disabilities aligned with ICF categories for body functions and structures,activities and participation and categories of ICD-11.Standardized tools like the WHO Disability As-sessment Schedule(WHODAS 2.0)effectively measured overall activity and participation levels.
Conclusion Anchored in the ICF and ICD-11 framework,disabilities are defined,classified,graded and assessed across body functions and structure,activities and participation,and environmental factors.WHODAS 2.0 serves as a universal tool for assessing activities and participation,enabling both comprehensive functional evaluations and the conversion of results from other assessment tools.By analyzing WHO global reports and technical documents in some countries within the ICF and ICD-11 classifications framework,this study highlights global advance-ments in disability definitions,classifications,grading and assessments.Variations in disability statistics stem from differing definitions,diagnostic criteria and assessments.Disability service eligibility criteria should be tai-lored to the needs of recipients and the capacity of providers.
Keywords：International Classification of FunctioningDisability and HealthInternational Classification of Diseasesthe 11th Revisiondisabilitygradingassessment
Publication Date：2025-04-25
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：9( 373-381 )