PHASES OF THE DISABILITY

PROCESS
KUNDAN DAS UKIL,MPT
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
BRAINWARE UNIVERSITY
 DEFINITION:

• DISABILITY: REFERS TO A PHYSICAL, COGNITIVE, SENSORY, OR MENTAL

CONDITION THAT SUBSTANTIALLY LIMITS ONE OR MORE MAJOR LIFE
ACTIVITIES. IT CAN BE TEMPORARY, INTERMITTENT, OR PERMANENT AND CAN
AFFECT PEOPLE OF ANY AGE, RACE, OR SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUND.

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 PHASES :
IDENTIFICATION PHASE
• THIS INVOLVES RECOGNIZING AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE PRESENCE OF A
DISABILITY THROUGH VARIOUS MEANS SUCH AS MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS,
ASSESSMENTS, AND SELF-REPORTING. IT OFTEN INVOLVES GATHERING
INFORMATION ABOUT THE INDIVIDUAL'S FUNCTIONAL LIMITATIONS AND THE
IMPACT OF THE DISABILITY ON THEIR DAILY LIFE ACTIVITIES.

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 EVALUATION PHASE:

• IN THIS PHASE, PROFESSIONALS CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION TO

ASSESS THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF THE DISABILITY. THIS MAY INCLUDE
MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS, PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS, EDUCATIONAL
EVALUATIONS, AND VOCATIONAL ASSESSMENTS. THE GOAL IS TO GATHER DATA
TO INFORM DECISIONS ABOUT APPROPRIATE INTERVENTIONS AND
ACCOMMODATIONS.

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 INTERVENTION PHASE:

• THIS PHASE FOCUSES ON IMPLEMENTING STRATEGIES, INTERVENTIONS, AND

ACCOMMODATIONS TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES POSED BY THE DISABILITY.
IT MAY INVOLVE MEDICAL TREATMENTS, THERAPIES, ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES,
EDUCATIONAL ACCOMMODATIONS, VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION, AND
COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES. THE AIM IS TO ENHANCE THE INDIVIDUAL'S
FUNCTIONING AND QUALITY OF LIFE.

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 INTEGRATION PHASE:

• IN THIS PHASE, THE FOCUS IS ON FACILITATING THE INDIVIDUAL'S INTEGRATION

INTO VARIOUS ASPECTS OF SOCIETY, INCLUDING EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT,
RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION. THIS MAY INVOLVE PROVIDING
SUPPORT SERVICES, PROMOTING ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSION, ADVOCATING
FOR THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AND RAISING AWARENESS TO
REDUCE STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION.

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 AIMS :

• ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE: THE OVERARCHING AIM OF THE DISABILITY PROCESS

IS TO IMPROVE THE INDIVIDUAL'S QUALITY OF LIFE BY ADDRESSING THEIR UNIQUE
NEEDS, MAXIMIZING THEIR INDEPENDENCE, AND PROMOTING THEIR WELL-BEING.
• PROMOTING INCLUSION: ANOTHER AIM IS TO PROMOTE THE INCLUSION AND FULL
PARTICIPATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN ALL ASPECTS OF SOCIETY,
INCLUDING EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, AND COMMUNITY LIFE.
• ENSURING RIGHTS AND DIGNITY: IT AIMS TO UPHOLD THE RIGHTS AND DIGNITY OF
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES BY ADVOCATING FOR EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES, ACCESS TO
SERVICES, AND PROTECTION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION AND EXPLOITATION.
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 PRINCIPLES :

• PERSON-CENTERED APPROACH: THE DISABILITY PROCESS IS GUIDED BY A PERSON-

CENTERED APPROACH, WHICH RECOGNIZES THE INDIVIDUAL'S UNIQUE STRENGTHS,
PREFERENCES, AND GOALS. IT INVOLVES COLLABORATING WITH THE INDIVIDUAL TO
IDENTIFY THEIR NEEDS AND PREFERENCES AND INVOLVE THEM IN DECISION-MAKING.
• EQUITY AND ACCESSIBILITY: PRINCIPLES OF EQUITY AND ACCESSIBILITY ARE
ESSENTIAL, ENSURING THAT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES HAVE EQUAL ACCESS TO
OPPORTUNITIES, SERVICES, AND RESOURCES. THIS INVOLVES REMOVING BARRIERS,
PROVIDING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS, AND PROMOTING UNIVERSAL DESIGN.

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 CONTI :

• EMPOWERMENT AND SELF-DETERMINATION: THE PROCESS EMPHASIZES EMPOWERING

INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO EXERCISE CONTROL OVER THEIR LIVES, MAKE INFORMED
CHOICES, AND ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES. IT INVOLVES PROVIDING INFORMATION, SKILLS
TRAINING, AND SUPPORT TO ENHANCE SELF-DETERMINATION AND AUTONOMY.
• COLLABORATION AND COORDINATION: COLLABORATION AND COORDINATION AMONG
PROFESSIONALS FROM VARIOUS DISCIPLINES (E.G., HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION, SOCIAL
SERVICES) ARE CRUCIAL TO ENSURE COMPREHENSIVE AND COORDINATED SUPPORT FOR
INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. THIS INVOLVES INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAMWORK,
COMMUNICATION, AND COORDINATION OF SERVICES TO ADDRESS THE MULTIFACETED NEEDS
OF THE INDIVIDUAL.

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 SCOPE OF REHABILITATION (IMPAIRMENT,
DISABILITY, HANDICAP)

• REHABILITATION: REFERS TO A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH AIMED AT

RESTORING, MAINTAINING, OR ENHANCING AN INDIVIDUAL'S FUNCTIONAL
ABILITIES, INDEPENDENCE, AND OVERALL WELL-BEING FOLLOWING AN INJURY,
ILLNESS, OR DISABILITY. IT ENCOMPASSES A WIDE RANGE OF INTERVENTIONS
AND SERVICES ACROSS VARIOUS DOMAINS, INCLUDING PHYSICAL, COGNITIVE,
EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, AND VOCATIONAL ASPECTS.

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 IMPAIRMENT:

• DEFINITION: REFERS TO ANY LOSS OR ABNORMALITY OF PSYCHOLOGICAL,

PHYSIOLOGICAL, OR ANATOMICAL STRUCTURE OR FUNCTION. IT MAY MANIFEST
AS A DEVIATION FROM TYPICAL BODILY STRUCTURE OR FUNCTION AND CAN BE
TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT.
• SCOPE IN REHABILITATION: REHABILITATION ADDRESSES IMPAIRMENTS
THROUGH MEDICAL TREATMENTS, THERAPIES, AND INTERVENTIONS AIMED AT
MINIMIZING THE IMPACT OF THE IMPAIRMENT ON THE INDIVIDUAL'S
FUNCTIONING AND PROMOTING RECOVERY TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE.

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 DISABILITY:

• DEFINITION: REFERS TO THE LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS IN PERFORMING ACTIVITIES

AND PARTICIPATING IN SOCIETAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES DUE TO IMPAIRMENTS. IT
RESULTS FROM THE INTERACTION BETWEEN IMPAIRMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL AND
PERSONAL FACTORS.
• SCOPE IN REHABILITATION: REHABILITATION AIMS TO MITIGATE THE FUNCTIONAL
LIMITATIONS AND SOCIETAL BARRIERS ASSOCIATED WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH
INTERVENTIONS SUCH AS ASSISTIVE DEVICES, ENVIRONMENTAL MODIFICATIONS, SKILL-
BUILDING PROGRAMS, AND SOCIAL SUPPORT SERVICES. IT FOCUSES ON ENHANCING THE
INDIVIDUAL'S INDEPENDENCE AND PARTICIPATION IN DAILY ACTIVITIES AND SOCIAL
INTERACTIONS.
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 HANDICAP:

• DEFINITION: REFERS TO THE DISADVANTAGES OR OBSTACLES THAT RESULT FROM

IMPAIRMENTS OR DISABILITIES WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE INDIVIDUAL'S
ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL FACTORS. IT REFLECTS THE SOCIETAL RESPONSE TO
THE INDIVIDUAL'S FUNCTIONAL LIMITATIONS AND CAN INCLUDE STIGMA,
DISCRIMINATION, AND LACK OF ACCESSIBILITY.
• SCOPE IN REHABILITATION: REHABILITATION ADDRESSES HANDICAPS BY
ADVOCATING FOR ACCESSIBILITY, INCLUSIVITY, AND SOCIAL SUPPORT SERVICES.
IT AIMS TO REDUCE SOCIETAL BARRIERS AND PROMOTE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN SOCIETY.
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 REHABILITATION INTERVENTIONS:

• MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS: INCLUDE TREATMENTS, SURGERIES, MEDICATIONS, AND

THERAPIES AIMED AT MANAGING IMPAIRMENTS, ALLEVIATING SYMPTOMS, AND
PROMOTING PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL RECOVERY.
• THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS: ENCOMPASS VARIOUS THERAPIES SUCH AS PHYSICAL
THERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, SPEECH THERAPY, AND COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL
THERAPY AIMED AT IMPROVING FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES, MOBILITY, COMMUNICATION, AND
COGNITIVE SKILLS.
• ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY: INVOLVES THE USE OF DEVICES, EQUIPMENT, AND TECHNOLOGIES
SUCH AS MOBILITY AIDS, PROSTHETICS, ORTHOTICS, COMMUNICATION DEVICES, AND
ADAPTIVE TOOLS TO COMPENSATE FOR IMPAIRMENTS AND ENHANCE INDEPENDENCE.
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 CONTI :

• PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT: INCLUDES COUNSELLING, PSYCHOSOCIAL

INTERVENTIONS, AND PEER SUPPORT PROGRAMS AIMED AT ADDRESSING
EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH
DISABILITIES AND PROMOTING ADJUSTMENT, COPING SKILLS, AND SOCIAL
INTEGRATION.
• VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION: INVOLVES SERVICES AND PROGRAMS AIMED AT
FACILITATING THE INDIVIDUAL'S RETURN TO WORK, VOCATIONAL TRAINING,
JOB PLACEMENT, AND CAREER COUNSELLING TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC
INDEPENDENCE AND INTEGRATION INTO THE WORKFORCE.
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 SUMMARY:

• REHABILITATION ADDRESSES THE SCOPE OF IMPAIRMENT, DISABILITY, AND

HANDICAP BY PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE INTERVENTIONS AND SERVICES
AIMED AT MINIMIZING FUNCTIONAL LIMITATIONS, ENHANCING INDEPENDENCE,
AND PROMOTING SOCIAL INCLUSION AND PARTICIPATION. IT ENCOMPASSES
MEDICAL, THERAPEUTIC, ASSISTIVE, PSYCHOSOCIAL, AND VOCATIONAL
INTERVENTIONS TO ADDRESS THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS
WITH DISABILITIES AND PROMOTE THEIR OVERALL WELL-BEING AND QUALITY
OF LIFE.

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 QUESTIONS

• DEFINITION OF DISABILITY
• PHASES OF DISABILITY
• AIMS & PRINCIPLES OF INTERVENTIONS IN DISABILITY
• SCOPE OF REHABILITATION IN DISABILITY
• REHABILITATION INTERVENTIONS

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