Definitions

Disability

The Participation and Activity Limitation Survey uses the World Health Organization’s (WHO) framework of disability provided by the International Classification of Functioning (ICF). This framework defines disability as the relationship between body structures and functions, daily activities and social participation, while recognizing the role of environmental factors.

For the purpose of PALS, persons with disabilities are those who reported difficulties with daily living activities, or who indicated that a physical, mental condition or health problem reduced the kind or amount of activities they could do.

The respondents’ answers to the disability questions represent their perception of the situation and are therefore subjective.

Disability rate

Refers to the total number of persons who reported activity limitations expressed as a percentage of the population. For example, the calculation of the disability rate for the population aged 15 to 64 in Ontario is as follows: (Number of persons with disabilities aged 15-64 in Ontario/Total population aged 15-64 in Ontario)*100.