Perspectives and definitions

There are four main streams of thought:

• The medical model that sees disability as a health issue. See e.g. the International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps (ICIDH, WHO 1980)
  
  
• The social model that understands disability as a social issue characterized by unequal opportunities for participation. The United Nations Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities reflects this stream of thinking. UN Enable - Standard Rules, Overview
  
  
• The multidimensional model such as the WHO International Classification of Functioning, disability and Health (ICF, WHO 2002). It conceptualizes disability through four dimensions: impairments; activity limitations and participation restrictions and environmental barriers and facilitators. It can be called the biopsychosocial model of disability.
  
  
• A political perspective understands the issue of disability as a human rights issue. The work towards an international Convention on the rights of people with disabilities may be seen to emphasize this perspective. UN Enable - Promoting the rights of Persons with Disabilities - Ad Hoc Committee

Contributor: Ronald Wiman, STAKES, email: ronald.wiman[at]stakes.fi