ICF Australian User Guide V1.0

Where do I find an overview of the ICF?

Section 2 present an overview of the main features of the classification.

Why should I think about using the ICF?

Section 3 presents an overview of

• potential applications,

• past uses of the International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps (ICIDH), the forerunner of the ICF

• inquiries the Institute has received from people wishing to use the classification.

How might I get started if I am thinking about using the ICF to structure information about functioning and disability?

Section 4 gives some brief practical and general advice on getting started as a user of the ICF.

How can I get more detailed understanding of some of the newer concepts in the classification, and options for their use?

Section 5 discusses the concepts of Activities and Participation in the ICF, and suggest options for use in Australia, selecting from options provided in the ICF.

Section 6 discusses the concept of Environmental factors in the ICF. This is an important new area of the classification and there is little experience in its use. Users are strongly encourages to use this component, and to document their experience and ideas.

If I am designing a data collection and I want it to conform to the ICF and to other Australian disability data collections, what section should I read?

Section 7 contains information about national disability data elements (and refers to the National Community Services Data Dictionary). The section includes a discussion of the value of consistency in data concepts and collections in Australia.

What is I just want a single 'disability identifier' for a generic data collection, for instance to monitor access to services by people with a disability?

Section 8 discusses disability identifiers and briefly looks at current international work on short question sets and census questions on disability.

What are the 'Personal factors' referred to in the ICF?

Section 9 identifies some key sociodemographic items and refers readers to the Australian national data dictionaries for definitions. 

What are some current or planned applications in Australia?

Section 10 contains brief accounts of current Australian applications, in fields such as therapy outcomes, speech pathology, classification of athletes, insurance and disability services, along with details of where to find out more, including links where available.

How can I tell other users about my experience with ICF?

Section 5 and Section 6 include templates showing how to record and share information. This User Guide is designed to be an evolving resource that promotes the recording of Australian experience and links users to each other. If all users follow the requests to document their experience, they will learn from each other, be able to contact each other and contribute to the ongoing development of the ICF

What are key references and resources on the ICF?

See Section 11 lists websites and references.