Measuring small gains using the ICIDH severity of disability scale: assessment practice among older people who are blind.

This paper describes an outcome-based assessment protocol that is used with older individuals who are blind. The assessment process demonstrates how the ICIDH theoretical model can be adapted to address small gains in rehabilitation outcome. The model also illustrates refinements in the ICIDH scaling to create effectiveness measures. A two-dimensional Functional Assessment Scale for measuring personal performance capacities has been found to be quite useful in determining individual needs, in quantifying small gains in rehabilitation intervention, and in evaluating programme effectiveness.