The project aimed to strengthen the competencies of managerial and quality assurance staff in the education, health and social sectors across participating countries by implementing the ICF as a standardised tool for planning and describing trans-sectoral support services. This was achieved through the development of practical guidelines and tailored training materials. The ultimate goal was to establish the ICF as a universal framework for support planning, evaluation and documentation within diverse institutions, including medical practices, NGOs, kindergartens and schools. By using the ICF Implementation Guide, these institutions can standardise their descriptions of client situations, facilitate the exchange of assessments and measure participation outcomes. This shared framework improves the efficiency, cooperation and transparency of services provided to persons with disabilities. Insights drawn from the social, health, and educational sectors in North Macedonia, Austria, Germany and Turkey address specific sectoral challenges, ensuring the approach is both comprehensive and adaptable.
We applied for this project to address the need for practical tools and guidance for implementing the Word Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) across various sectors and trans-sectoral cooperation. While the World Health Organisation introduced the ICF in 2001, its practical application has been slow due to the absence of specific implementation instruments. Many countries, including North Macedonia, have incorporated ICF into legislation, such as mandatory functional assessment for inclusive primary education. However, operational challenges persist, particularly in translating the framework into effective service-level practices. Drawing on lessons from countries like Germany and Austria, where implementation struggles highlight the need for clear guidelines, this project seeks to develop an ICF Implementation Guide that would help MK and TR institutions successfully implement the tool. By providing concrete steps for trans-sectoral cooperation, the guide fosters efficient services, improves inclusion and ensures better collaboration among education, health and social work sectors, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for persons with disabilities.