Assessments using ICF criteria

[clair...@gmail.com]

Dear colleagues,

I have a question which needs international answers. A Turkish lawyer
wants to challenge the current procedure for disabled people in Turkey
to qualify for accommodations, alternative arrangements, etc.

In the past, a medical assessment of the impairment by one doctor,
counter-signed by 4 others, was enough. Then in 2008 the system
changed in line with the World Health Organisation's ICF
(International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health,
WHO, 2001). This introduced the concept of Body Functions, and
assessment is now carried out according to Loss of Body Functions.
Accordingly, the result is that someone with 100% sight loss has a
Total loss of function of 85%.

In practice, this technical point has reduced the number of people who
qualify for support.

I therefore want to find out what happens in your country: how do
students get assessed for their needs, for example if a student wants
extra time in an exam, special equipment..? How do disabled people
show that they qualify for free transport or exemption from tuition
costs/ tax/ etc?

Please tell me if you know of any countries that use the ICF criteria,
so that we can ask how they apply them.

Best wishes,
Claire Ozel
Middle East Technical University
Ankara, Turkey