Abstract
Disability represents a major challenge that societies worldwide have to address and poses a burden at different levels: individual, societal, and economic. Disability can substantially and significantly impact work participation of individuals and hence may result in work disability. Assessment of disability in the context of work and employment is essential to guide and facilitate appropriate and adequate return-to-work (RTW) strategies and help ensure that the individual remains to be at work. Disability evaluation is crucial to determine a claimant’s eligibility for disability benefits as well as to establish appropriate levels of benefits. Disability evaluation also provides necessary information whether assignment to an RTW program is required before receiving disability benefits. Because the key information in disability evaluation refers to functioning and disability, standards for functioning assessment are instrumental in ensuring comparability, transparency, and fairness in disability evaluation. The internationally accepted standard for reporting information on functioning and disability is the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) which could contribute to a transparent illustration of how impairments affect a claimant’s work activities, work participation, and work disability and identify the role of contextual factors in the process. The ICF can also be used to promote standardized reporting of work disability.