Abstract

HENAO LEMA, Claudia Patricia  and  GIL OBANDO, Lida Maritza. QUALITY OF LIFE AND DISABILITY STATUS. Hacia promoc. Salud [online]. 2009, vol.14, n.2, pp.114-127. ISSN 0121-7577.

Introduction: The study of the quality of life of handicapped people has highly increased during the last decades, and addressed from diverse areas such as health, rehabilitation, social services and education. The trend in this subject tends to recognize the holistic nature of human beings, the complexity of human-context relations, the life conditions faced by people living with disability and their future perspectives. Objective: Identify and reflect on the quality of life, specifically regarding disability, based on the theoretical models and the most relevant elements the subject matter implies. In order to achieve this aim, definitions on quality of life constructed by different authors will be used; then, the quality of life in handicapped persons will be analyzed; after that, the measurement of quality of life will be approached in a concise manner emphasizing the model proposed by Schalock. Finally, the proposal using the Quality of Life construct as a measurement tool in order to evaluate the strategies and the results of the programs, services and treatments in health and rehabilitation area is presented, in order to determine to what extent these results can impact the quality of life of handicapped persons. The present paper is the result of a theoretical reflection of the authors in the Masters Program on Disability at the Universidad Autónoma y of Manizales.

Keywords : Quality of life; disability evaluation; rehabilitation.

        · abstract in Spanish | Portuguese     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )