ICF Resources

What is the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)?

"The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, known more commonly as ICF, is a classification of health and health-related domains. As the functioning and disability of an individual occurs in a context, ICF also includes a list of environmental factors." (Source: World Health Organization)

ICF Related Documents and Links

ICF Searchable Database

How to use the ICF. A Practical Manual for using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (PDF file) 

2015 World Report on Ageing and Health (PDF file)

2011 World Report on Disability. WHO, Geneva. WHO-FIC information sheet (PDF file)

2008 Training Manual on Disability Statistics

Towards a Common Language for Functioning, Disability and Health, ICF report from 2002 (PDF file)

Original version of the ICF from 2001 (PDF file)

Additional Resources

U-M CDHW members Drs. Michelle Meade and Elham Mahmoudi, along with U-M School of Public Health's Dr. Shoou-Yih Lee co-authored a paper entitled "The intersection of disability and healthcare disparities: a conceptual framework" (PDF file). The 2014 paper was published in Disability and Rehabilitation which is an international multidisciplinary journal. Below is an excerpt:

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Evaluates the main models of healthcare disparity and disability to create an integrated framework.
• Provides a comprehensive conceptual model of healthcare disparity that specifically targets issues related to individuals with disabilities.
• Conceptualizes how personal and environmental factors interact to produce disparities in access to healthcare and healthcare quality.
• Recognizes and targets modifiable factors to reduce disparities between and within individuals with disabilities.