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Abstract
Disability is variably defined because of its significant political, policy, societal and economic implications. Various models of disability have been described; the predominant ones being a medical model and a social model. Various agencies and institutions define disability differently serving their explicit narrow purpose. A more widely used construct of disability is that of World Health Organization, called the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health. Physical disability and intellectual disability also differ in terms of their conceptualization and implications. The definition of intellectual disability has evolved significantly over the past decade. Intellectual disability is characterized by deficits in cognitive and adaptive abilities that initially manifest before 18 years of age.
Keywords: Disability, intellectual disability, definition
Introduction
The conceptual framework and definition of disability has evolved over the years from a predominantly medical model to a broader social model. Because the definition of disability has significant individual, societal, economic, and political and policy implications, it is difficult to construct an all-encompassing, unifying definition (1).
In the medical model of disability, the individual is considered disabled based on a disease or health condition that limits his or her ability to carry out expected individual and societal obligations (2-4). Many conditions are associated with disability (see Table 1). The person with a disability is in a sick role. The medical model attributes problems with disability to the individual and if his or her condition is cured, then the disability could be remediated (2).
There is no consideration of environmental or societal factors in the medical model. On the other hand, the social model of disability takes in to consideration, the role of the environmental and societal factors in the construct of disability (2-6). Disability is based on the fact that by itself any functional impairment at an individual level may not create disability, but sociocultural expectations and built environment together limit person's ability to engage in a productive role. It is important to distinguish impairment, handicap and disability (5-7). An impairment is any psychological, structural, or functional abnormality at an individual level. Impairment by itself may or may not cause a person to be disabled. Rather, any limitation of ability to perform an activity as expected because of an impairment results in disability. When a...