Re: Definitions: impairment, disability and handicap

Hi Ian,

In fact, the definitions of the WHO seek not to be based on medical terms
but covering the social and personal aspects of the disability.

It is important to use the terms proposed by WHO to avoid confusion and the
possibility of hurting the sensibility of some people.

Regards,
Emmanuelle
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ian B. Jacobs" <ij@w3.org>
To: "Wendy A Chisholm" <wendy@w3.org>
Cc: "Katie Haritos-Shea" <ryladog@earthlink.net>; "3WC WAI X-TECH"
<wai-xtech@w3.org>; "Charles McCathieNevile" <charles@w3.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 20, 2002 4:22 PM
Subject: Re: Definitions: impairment, disability and handicap



Wendy A Chisholm wrote:
> Ian,
>
> Where does the WAI currently define these?  I've not found anything in
> the glossaries of the expected places (ATAG, WCAG, UAAG, "How PWD Use
> the Web").


We don't define impairment, disability, or handicap. Instead,
we talk about "accessible: can be used by a person with a
disability" and we talk about different disabilities.

There was resistance to adopting definitions that were
based in medical terms, I believe.

  _ Ian


> --w
>
> At 08:08 AM 6/20/02, Ian B. Jacobs wrote:
>
>> Katie Haritos-Shea wrote:
>>
>>> As discussed back in Nov 2001 by Emmanuelle Gutiérrez y Restrepo, and
>>> Lisa Seeman.........I also feel that we should be using the World Health
>>> Organization's definitions for these terms.
>>> I will be including them in the WAI Glossary as such, unless further
>>> discussion warrants a change.
>>
>>
>> Hi Katie,
>>
>> We discussed these definitions a long time ago in the UAWG
>> and I think the WAI CG preferred that we not use them in
>> the WAI Guidelines. This was discussed by the WAI CG
>> in December 1999, and I believe that it was preferred
>> that we keep the WAI definitions.
>>
>> You might want to get the WAI CG to re-issue their
>> opinion.
>>
>>  - Ian
>>
>>> As defined by the World Health Organization (WHO)
>>> 1.  impairment refers to an abnormality of body structure,
>>> appearance, organ and system
>>> functioning.
>>> (Impairments are problems in body function or structure such as a
>>> significant deviation or loss)
>>> 2. disability is the consequence of an impairment in functional
>>> performance and
>>> activity
>>>
>>> 3. handicap is the consequence which is reflected in interaction
>>> with, and
>>> adaptation to, the surroundings
>>>
>>> Katie Haritos-Shea
>>> Internet/Software/Device Accessibility and Standards
>>> Strategist/Developer/Evangelist
>>> #571-220-7777
>>> "The best and most beautiful things in the world
>>>      cannot be seen or even touched.
>>>     They must be felt with the heart."
>>>                 - Helen Keller
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Ian Jacobs (ij@w3.org)   http://www.w3.org/People/Jacobs
>> Tel:                     +1 718 260-9447
>
>



--
Ian Jacobs (ij@w3.org)   http://www.w3.org/People/Jacobs
Tel:                     +1 718 260-9447

Received on Thursday, 20 June 2002 11:37:11 UTC