The ICIDH and the Need for its Revision

Abstract The International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities, and Handicaps (ICIDH) published and used by the World Health Organization is currently undergoing a revision. Its conceptual basis is the medical model which leads to the medicalization of disability. From this point it is a short step to eugenics and a class-based evaluation of people with disabilities using the concept of 'normal'. People with disabilities are found to be lacking and a burden. The language and the logic of the ICIDH are faulty. It is replete with biased, handicapist language. In its present form and even in its proposed revised form (ICIDH-2) it is a threat to the disability community world wide.