The ICF model of functioning and disability: Incorporating quality of life and human development

Objective: Since its 2001 publication, a number of issues have been raised about the ICF. The World Health Organization anticipated the ICF would undergo a continuous process of revision. This paper adds to this process. Method: This article describes how the ICF framework shares a number of tenets with a systems perspective. An argument is built for why the ICF model of functioning and disability should be expanded to include the concepts of quality of life and human development. A modified model is presented that depicts a person's life quality and his/her potential for development as the outcomes and processes that arise from the interconnected, ever-changing influences of health, functioning and contextual factors. Conclusions: A modified ICF model based on a systems perspective depicts a holistic view that acknowledges health, functioning, life quality and development are intertwined and are essential concepts to consider in the lives of all people.