Reflection on the definition of impairment and disability as defined by the World Health Organization.

The International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities, and Handicaps (ICIDH) is gaining wide acceptance inside and outside the field of rehabilitation medicine. Impairment and disability are concepts which are often used interchangeably or defined differently. The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined impairment and disability in the ICIDH. In this article an analysis is made of these definitions and the characteristics that are given for the definitions. Based on this analysis, modifications for the definitions and characteristics of impairment and disability are suggested.