The concept of handicap [La notion de handicap]

• Type: Article in International Conference Proceedings Book
• Date: 2003

Authors

Hamonet, C (Author) Other; Teresa Magalhães (Author) FMUP

Conference proceedings International

Title: Annales de Readaptation et de Medecine Physique

Pages: 521-524

Indexing

Scopus - 6 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00M-8CD

DOI: 10.1016/j.annrmp.2003.03.003

Abstract (EN): The notion of disability appears recently in the medical and medico-legal field. It is the origin of a fundamental discussion about the health, and an ethical debate about human person. Indeed it drives to identify among the health users a particular group: disabled persons for whom the methods used with success in the field of diseases are not convenient. For ethical point of view: it is the identity of the person in a situation of disability, its dignity, its self-esteem and the respect through the regard of others which are in question. The debate was amplified when the project of a classification of handicap, as consequences of diseases, (Wood, WHO) was published, in 1980. Two tendencies were in opposition: one of them is "medicinal", following the opinion of Wood, the second is "anthropological and social", supported by scientific and disabled associations. The first proposition of Wood, after a long discussion, is abandoned. It is replaced by a "Classification of functioning, disability and health", adopted by the Mondail assembly of WHO in May 2002. This device is a compromise between the precedent tendencies. This document is heavy, confusing, imprecise and very difficult to use. We suggest a definition with dimensions, separating clearly the body modifications, the universal functional capacities for a human person and the situations of life. The subjectivity is individualised as a special dimension of assessment. © 2003 Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS. Tous droits réservés.

Language: French

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific