Dismantling the disability/handicap distinction

Journal/Book: J Med Phil. 1997; 22: Spuiboulevard 50, PO Box 17, 3300 AA Dordrecht, Netherlands. Kluwer Academic Publ. 589-606.

Abstract: This paper discusses the distinction between disability and handicap as it is proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in their publication International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps (WHO, 1993 (first published, 1980)). Following criticism of this an attempt to salvage the distinction by Nordenfelt (1993, 1983) is discussed. It is argued that neither the WHO nor Nordenfelt are successful in their attempts to preserve the distinction between disability and handicap in a theoretically well-motivated manner. Contrary to the WHO, it is argued that what they term 'disabilities' and 'handicaps' both have external causes. And contrary to Nordenfelt's position it is shown that ''basic actions'' do not provide a firm theoretical foundation for the concept of disability. Moreover, the criticisms of these two sets of views reveal that attempts to describe the phenomenon of disablement which focus on the individual suffer from a serious methodological shortcoming.

Note: Article Edwards SD, Univ Coll Swansea, Ctr Philosophy & Hlth Care, Swansea SA2 8PP, W Glam, WALES

Keyword(s): disability; handicap; Nordenfelt; World Health Organization

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