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International classification of functioning
ICF, a model to improve the life quality and the social inclusion

The International Classification of the functioning of disability (ICF), introduced by WHO in May 2001, provides a model for the functioning and disability and a series of terms to describe them in a detailed way. The ICF is a useful instrument for the evaluation of the condition of people with disabilities and to suitably meet their needs. Approved and recognized by 191 countries, ICF introduced a model of approaching disability that was defined biopsychosocial, through which it is possible to decode not only the functioning profile of a person, but, above all, to identify if the environment in which he/she is inserted represents, for the development of his/her life and the respect of his/her dignity, a barrier or a facilitator. In this sense the model can be defined multidimensional or interactive. Disability, in fact, is no longer considered a subjective condition due to the fact that capabilities of people depend both on personal and social factors. WHO points out that disability is a "universal experience, a difficulty in the functioning on a physical, personal and social level, in one or more fields of life as it experienced by a person with a health condition in interaction with contextual factors".


“un’esperienza universale, una difficoltà nel funzionamento a livello del corpo, della persona ed a livello della società, in uno o più ambiti della vita, così come viene vissuta ed esperita da una persona con una qualunque condizione di salute in interazione con i fattori contestuali”.

 
Menichini, “The ICF is an extraordinary instrument for social inclusion. Its experimentation in Italy is a good practice"

We are getting closer to the appointment of May 19 and 20 during which the institutions, and the associations of experts will examine the situation of experimentation of classification in Italy. The Institute for the Social Affairs, as the lead contractor of the project Disability and Social Exclusion, believes in the importance to add a space, within the DSE website, entirely dedicated to the method that revolutionized the approach to disability and that, thanks to its effectiveness as an evaluating instrument according to its functioning, is becoming more and more a point of reference for the operators on the territory. “For this reason”, asserts Isabella Menichini, director general of IAS, “we believe that every opportunity must be taken to spread it on a national level ”.

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Useful Links:
  • Link to the Italian Site of Classifications
  • Link to the Conference Riva del Garda
  • Link to the site Italia Lavoro
  • Link to the site DIN

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    Good Practices

    The project is directed to differently abled people and to all those subjects that for many reasons are risking deviance and disadvantage: foreigners, poor people,roma people ecc. The choice of including in the different scheduled actions is due to the consideration that among difficulties a mutual help relationship can be created....Read all the good practice"Compagnia danza reggina"  
    The service of the socio-health assistant was born in july 2004 on proposal of the Ministry of health, the Region of Lombardy Higher Health Institute The aim of the project is to catch espresse and not-expressed needs by the weaker elderly people which live in unconfortable areas of Milan metropolitan area areas. The action has been realized through a convention between ASL City of Milan, Municipality of Milan, ALER and Don Gnocchi Founfìdtaion, with the third sector support and of the local volunteering and with the new private societies contribute as promoter of Corporate Social Responsability....Read all the good practice"Social-health assistant and social assistant in Milano area"  
    AMAT DEUS promotes the world of volunteering in a creative way, revealing its importance in social life. Born as a movie project, wher the starting plot is uploaded and changed during works by partecipants. Disabled, elederly people, artists, technician and known characters and musicians, contributed to bring in the story an original contribute to build a quality product and creative cooperation. ...Read all the good practice"AMAT DEUS"  

    Agenda

    Rome, March 24, 2011 Final Conference of the DSE project "Disability and Social Exclusion. Best Practices for Social Inclusion"   The final conference of the DSE (Disability and Social Exclusion) project will be held in Rome on...
    Castel Sant Angelo, February 15, 2011 Conference: "Sport and disability: inclusion, which eliminates the gap”, Sport has many advantages both in terms of physical activity and also many positive effects from a psychological and...

    Project

    To overcome prejudices and stereotypes, to enhance experiences and best practices, to spread information through concrete initiatives on the territory in order to allow for a full participation of the people with disabilities. This is the goal of the project “Disability and Social Exclusion” (DSE) co-financed by the European Commission. Through territorial and communication plans, the programme aims at carrying out a real cultural change for the overcoming of discriminatory behaviours towards people with disabilities, that are still widespread in our country.

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