An international systematic review of the ICF in education. Cross-language comparisons from Chinese, German, Italian, and Portuguese publications

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF), established by the World Health Organization (WHO), provides a biopsychosocial framework for understanding and addressing human functioning and disability. This systematic review examines the application of the ICF in educational contexts across four non-English languages: Chinese, German, Italian, and Portuguese. The findings reveal significant cross-cultural and linguistic variations in interpretation and implementation, shaped by each country’s socio-political, historical, and educational landscape. By analyzing 54 peer-reviewed publications, this review identifies key practical applications of the ICF in fostering inclusive educational practices. The study highlights how the ICF has influenced a shift from medicalized models of disability toward holistic, participation-centered approaches. Specifically, the ICF is used in Chinese literature to guide activity-based assessments in special education, in German studies as a broad theoretical framework, and in Italian and Portuguese research as a practical tool for inclusive education in mainstream settings. Despite its potential, challenges remain in cross-cultural integration, including inconsistencies in adoption and the need for deeper application beyond theoretical references. To enhance the ICF’s impact in education, this review underscores the necessity for training, cross-cultural collaboration, and policy refinement. Strengthening educators’ and policymakers’ understanding of ICF principles can facilitate its integration into mainstream education, ensuring a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for students with disabilities and those requiring additional support.

Schlagwörter

ICF, International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health, Internationaler Vergleich, Bildung

Fachgebiet (DDC)

370 - Erziehung, Schul- und Bildungswesen

Projekt

Veranstaltung

Startdatum der Ausstellung

Enddatum der Ausstellung

Startdatum der Konferenz

Enddatum der Konferenz

Datum der letzten Prüfung

ISBN

ISSN

2504-284X

Sprache

Englisch

Während FHNW Zugehörigkeit erstellt

Ja

Zukunftsfelder FHNW

Future Health

Publikationsstatus

Veröffentlicht

Begutachtung

Peer-Review der ganzen Publikation

Open Access-Status

Gold

Lizenz

Zitation

Kang, L.-J., Naude, A., Rocha, A., Bornman, J., Alves, I., Maxwell, G. R., Moretti, M., Proyer, M., Shi, L., & Zahnd, R. (2025). An international systematic review of the ICF in education. Cross-language comparisons from Chinese, German, Italian, and Portuguese publications. Frontiers in Education, 10, 1526194. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1526194

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