ABSTRACT
The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health draws upon a social model of disability that describes disability from the standpoint of the body, the individual and society. Disability describes a condition in which the ability of a person to perform activities that include some or all of the tasks of daily living is compromised. Disability seems to place a higher burden on women than men, both as victims of disability and as providers of care for the disabled. Causes of disability in the Arab countries vary, and prevalence rates are likely to be country and region-specific. Community attitudes toward disability are important since they contribute heavily to the presence and degree of stigma associated with the condition. Disability is considered one of the most important causes of vulnerability among children, especially in developing countries. People living with disability in the Arab world represent a population that has been understudied and underserved.
