Comments on the Portuguese translation of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health

Abstract

An analysis of the World Health Organization terminology for disability indicates the influence of the social model of disability in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health. This theoretical framework should guide any translations of the document. In Brazil, the document was translated as Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde. We argue that more appropriate than translating disability as "incapacidade" and impairments as "deficiê ncias" would be to use the term "deficiência" for disability and "lesão" for impairment. Considering the normative impact of a WHO document for social policy and international research, the translation should accurately reflect the concepts and their theoretical basis.