Defining Disability Internationally: Implications for Rehabilitation Service Provision Within Immigrant Populations in the United States

This paper presents multiple perspectives on disability that exist in the global context and their significance as necessary components of cross–cultural ethnic awareness. The author proposes engaging in cultural humility and integrating cultural brokers into rehabilitation service provision, to more effectively meet the needs of rehabilitation clients from diverse ethnic backgrounds. The goal is to support rapport– building and facilitate client engagement while removing differences in culture as potential barriers. Comparison of and insight into disability terminology, disability perceptions, and implications of disability legislation in several countries provide practicalities for forming therapeutic alliances with clients globally. Keywords: disability, international, language, cultural humility, legislation