Models of disablement, universalism and the international classification of impairments, disabilities and handicaps

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-9536(98)00441-9Get rights and content

Abstract

A review and critique of models of disability is presented, tracing the development of frameworks and classificatory instruments (International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps) over the past 20 years. While the ‘social’ model is now universally accepted, it is argued that universalism as a model for theory development, research and advocacy serves disabled persons more effectively than a civil rights or ‘minority group’ approach. The development of the revised International Classification (ICIDH-2) is discussed in this light.

Section snippets

Models of disablement: research constructs and strategies for advocacy

Disability scholars have long argued that what is called physical or mental ‘disability’ is not simply an attribute of a person but a complex collection of conditions, activities and relationships, many of which are created by the social environment. This is sometimes called the ‘social’ or ‘social-political perspective’ in which disability is seen as a ‘social construct’, or more pointedly, as a ‘sophisticated form of social oppression’ (Oliver, 1986, Oliver, 1990a). Early treatments of the

The ICIDH (1980)

In 1976, the World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization approved for publication a classificatory instrument incorporating a version of the social model. The result, eventually published in 1980 for trial purposes, was the International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps (ICIDH) (World Health Organization, 1980). Here was an international classification of disablement, suitable for research and a myriad of other uses, that appeared to embody the insights of

UPIAS/DPI (1976)

A year after the publication of the ICIDH, Disabled People’s International (DPI) offered a competing characterization of disablement. It was based on a proposal presented in 1976 by a group of disabled individuals calling themselves the Union of the Physically Impaired Against Segregation (UPIAS). The proposal offered a two-element model which originally used the terms ‘disability’ and ‘handicap’, although later these terms were replaced by ‘impairment’ and ‘disability’ (see Driedger, 1989,

Minority group discrimination or universal human condition?

The minority group analysis was an outgrowth of the scholarship and political activism that helped to create the social model of disablement. The seeds of the analysis can be found in the popular political movements, in North America and around the world, during the 1960’s and 1970’s: consumer, independent living, antiprofessional, deinstitutionalization, normalization and, of course, the civil rights movement itself Anspach, 1979, Scotch, 1984 Indeed, one author has called disability activism

The ICIDH 2 and the universalistic approach

In 1993, the World Health Organization began the process of revising the ICIDH and to that end sought the assistance of existing collaborating centres in Holland, France, North America and the Nordic countries. Task forces focusing on three subject areas — mental health, children and the environment — engaged in international consultations. By May, 1996 a preliminary, ‘alpha draft’ of ICIDH-2 was finalized for expert review; a year following, based on the comments and criticisms received, WHO

References (81)

  • R.R Anspach

    From stigma to identity policies: political activism among the physically disabled and former mental patients

    Social Science & Medicine

    (1979)
  • P Abberley

    The concept of oppression and the development of a social theory of disability

    Disability, Handicap and Society

    (1987)
  • P Abberley

    Work, utopia and impairment

  • G Albrecht

    The Disability Business

    (1992)
  • R Amundson

    Disability, Handicap and the Environment

    Journal of Social Philosophy

    (1992)
  • S Barnartt et al.

    A comparison on federal laws toward the disabled and racial/ethnic groups in the USA

    Disability, Handicap and Society

    (1988)
  • C Barnes

    Disabled People in Britain and Discrimination

    (1991)
  • C Barnes

    Theories of disability and the origins of the oppression of disabled people in western society

  • C Barnes et al.

    Disability rights: rhetoric and reality in the UK

    Disability and Society

    (1995)
  • H.S Becker

    Outsiders: Studies in the Sociology of Deviance

    (1963)
  • J.E Bickenbach

    Physical Disability and Social Policy

    (1993)
  • H Bines

    Redefining Remedial Education

    (1986)
  • J.T.P Bonte

    Use of IDH classification in health interview surveys

    International Rehabilitative Medicine

    (1986)
  • C Boorse

    On the distinction between disease and illness

    Philosophy and Public Affairs

    (1975)
  • C Boorse

    Health as a theoretical concept

    Philosophy of Science

    (1977)
  • M Chamie

    What does morbidity have to do with disability?

    Disability and Rehabilitation

    (1995)
  • A Colverz et al.

    Problems encountered in using the concepts of impairment, disability and handicap in a health assessment survey of the elderly in upper Normandy

    International Rehabilitative Medicine

    (1986)
  • G De Jong

    Independent living: form social movement to analytic paradigm

    Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

    (1979)
  • M De Kleijn-de Vrankrijker

    The ICIDH: its use in rehabilitation

    World Health Statistical Quarterly

    (1989)
  • D Driedger

    The Last Civil Rights Movement

    (1989)
  • V Finkelstein

    Attitudes and Disabled People: Issues for Discussion

    (1980)
  • P Fougeyrollas

    Documenting environmental factors for preventing the handicap creation process: Quebec contributions relating to ICIDH and social participation of people with functional differences

    Disability and Rehabilitation

    (1995)
  • G Fulcher

    Disabling Policies? A Comparative Approach to Education Policy and Disability

    (1989)
  • S French

    Researching disability: the way forward

    Disability and Rehabilitation

    (1992)
  • A Giddens

    Sociology: a Brief Critical Introduction

    (1986)
  • E Goffman

    Asylums

    (1961)
  • E Goffman

    Stigma: Notes on the Management of a Spoiled Identity

    (1963)
  • G Grimby et al.

    On the application of the WHO handicap classification in rehabilitation

    Scandinavian Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine

    (1988)
  • L.D Haber

    Trends and demographic studies on programs for disabled persons

  • H Hahn

    Disability and rehabilitation policy: is paternalistic neglect really benign?

    Public Administration Review

    (1982)
  • H Hahn

    Changing perceptions of disability and the future of rehabilitation

  • H Hahn

    Toward a politics of disability: definitions, disciplines and policies

    The Social Science Journal

    (1985)
  • H Hahn

    Public support for rehabilitation programs: the analysis of US disability policy

    Disability, Handicap and Society

    (1986)
  • H Hahn

    Civil rights for disabled Americans: the foundations of a political agenda

  • H Hahn

    The politics of physical differences: disability and discrimination

    Journal of Social Issues

    (1988)
  • Cited by (508)

    • Deaf identity construction in Malaysia

      2022, Asian Journal of Social Science
    View all citing articles on Scopus
    View full text