The International Classification of Functioning,Disability, and Health (ICF), A New Tool for Social Workers

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) ratified the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in 2001. This followed a ten year period of international development which shifted emphasis from a system concerned with the consequences of disease to a system concerned with human functionality and health. Disability advocates contributed to this system which has potential as a tool for social work classification and assessment. Familiarity with the system also brings the profession in step with the disability studies movement which promotes a social model of disability.