Information about functioning and disability is essential for clinical practice, research, education, as well as for health and social policy and advocacy. Increasingly, countries are enhancing their data about functioning and disability using the WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). The ICF is an international standard for health and disability information - key for collecting valid, reliable and comparable health and disability data.

To be a standard for harmonization and comparability, however, ICF has to be applied consistently around the world by all users, and that means the aims and rationale of the ICF, and the specific skills needed to use it, must be taught in an accessible and standardized manner. In order to reach this objective, a web-based training tool to teach the ICF model and the classification terms has been developed. ICF Research Branch took the lead in developing this ICF e-learning tool https://www.icf-elearning.com/ under the auspices of the WHO Family of International Classifications (WHO-FIC).

Currently the introductory module of the ICF e-Learning Tool is online and is available in several languages. The introductory module is ideal for anyone interested in learning about the ICF. This could include the general public, people with disabilities, care providers and advocates, health professionals, people from the education and other sectors involved with services for people with disability.