Constructing disability eligibility standards using ICF:conceptual framework,approaches and methodological systems
YANG Yaru
QIU Zhuoying
CHEN Di
WANG Zhongyan
ZHANG Meng
SONG Guiyun
Abstract：Objective To construct a conceptual framework and methodology for developing disability eligibility/standard using the bio-psycho-social model of disability,and classification theory and methods of the International Classification of Functioning,Disability and Health(ICF).
Methods Based on the ICF's bio-psycho-social model,and aliged with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the World Health Organization technical documents in the fields of disability statis-tics and services,this study explored the systematic implementation of ICF to construct a conceptual framework and methodology for disability eligibility/standards,including core concepts and terminology of functioning and disability,methods and system of classification and grading,coding system,standardization of disability survey questionnaires and protocols,and assessment/evaluation tools,as well as standard system of disability data.
Results The establishment of disability standards should be based on specific application contexts and functions.Stan-dards for surveys and statistics emphasized data collection and analysis,applied to the design of survey question-naires and methodologies.Standards for service eligibility focused on determining service qualification through structured assessments/evaluation of functioning and disability.Comprehensive standards served both purposes.A well-rounded disability standard integrated a clear theoretical framework,scientific classification,grading and coding systems,and standardized disability reporting and evaluation/assessment methods/tools.The conceptual framework and methodological system for disability standards based on ICF comprised five core aspects:a core conceptual and terminological system for disability;disability classification and grading methods and systems;a scientifically structured classification,grading,and coding system;standardized disability reporting and assess-ment/evaluation methods and procedures;and standardized disability data systems.Applying ICF in practice in-volved systematically integrating the theoretical framework into the development of disability classification and grading systems,constructing coding systems using ICF,implementing standardized disability reporting and as-sessment/evaluation tools derived from the ICF,designing and standardizing disability survey instruments,ques-tionnaires/protocols,and assessment/evaluation tools and protocols,and establishing ICF-based disability data standards.
Conclusion ICF provides a robust conceptual framework and methodology for the development of disability eligibility/standards.The bio-psycho-social model,conceptual framework and methodological approaches of classification,grading and coding of functioning and disability,and ICF-based standardized survey and assessment/evaluation tools,enable the establishment of core disability concepts and terminology,disability classification and grading systems,disability coding systems,disability survey questionnaires and protocols and assessment/evaluation tools and programs,and disability data standards.The systematic application of the ICF framework and method-ology enhances the scientific rigor,inclusivity and applicability of disability eligibility/standards.
Keywords：disability eligibility/standardsconcepts and terminologycoding of disabilitysurvey questionnaireevaluationassessmentdataInternational Classification of FunctioningDisability and Health
Publication Date：2025-07-25
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：10( 745-754 )