Global Perspective on Disability Global Perspective on Disability and Human Functionand Human Function

Mary ChamieMary Chamie

United Nations Statistics DivisionUnited Nations Statistics Division

Global MatrixGlobal Matrix

InternationalClassification ofFunctioning,Disability andHealth (ICF)

World Programme of ActionMajor Goals

Equalization ofopportunities Rehabilitation Prevention

Environment  

Ee 

Er Ep

Activities and Participation  

Ae 

Ar Ap

Body Functions and Structures 

Be 

Br 

Bp

Human Functioning (ICF)Human Functioning (ICF)

Stated NeutrallyStated Neutrally

ParticipationParticipationActivityActivityBody Function Body Function

and Structureand Structure

Stated as a Stated as a ProblemProblem

RestrictionRestriction

LimitationLimitation

ImpairmentImpairment

Sources of Sources of Disability InformationDisability Information

• CensusesCensuses

• SurveysSurveys

• Administrative recordsAdministrative records

An important future step: An important future step:

To integrate disability into the regular To integrate disability into the regular statistical programmes of economics, statistical programmes of economics, demography, social planning, housing, demography, social planning, housing, environment and health.environment and health.

An integrated approach:An integrated approach:World Population AgingWorld Population Aging

• Does population aging imply increased Does population aging imply increased disability?disability?

• How does age influence human function How does age influence human function and activity?and activity?

Disability Rates and AgeDisability Rates and Age

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Child Adult Elder

China (87)

Australia(93)

Botswana(91)

United Nations Population Division

JapanJapan

United Nations Population Division

ItalyItaly

United Nations Population Division

IndiaIndia

Principles of Official StatisticsPrinciples of Official Statistics

• Public trust in official statistical Public trust in official statistical informationinformation

• Respect for fundamental values of Respect for fundamental values of society/rights of it memberssociety/rights of it members

• Need for citizen participationNeed for citizen participation

• Established standards and conceptsEstablished standards and concepts

What is the Message?What is the Message?

1.1. Disability statistics are covered under the Disability statistics are covered under the regular principles of official statisticsregular principles of official statistics

2.2. They are an integral part of population, They are an integral part of population, housing, economic, social and health housing, economic, social and health planning.planning.

3.3. Disability covers many aspects of human Disability covers many aspects of human activity and participation. There is not one activity and participation. There is not one prevalence rate that can capture all of this.prevalence rate that can capture all of this.

Global planningGlobal planning

Washington City Group, under the auspices of Washington City Group, under the auspices of the United Nations Statistics Commissionthe United Nations Statistics Commission

Trial data collection, disability information in Trial data collection, disability information in United Nations Demographic YearbookUnited Nations Demographic Yearbook