Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Model Disability Survey (MDS) for Brazil.

Objective: This study has as objective the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Model Disability Survey (MDS), a World Health Organization instrument that provides comprehensive information on disability/functioning, for Brazil.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional methodological study, carried out through five stages - initial translation, synthesis of translations, reverse translation, review by a specialist committee, and pre-test -, considering properties such as semantic, idiomatic, experimental, and conceptual equivalence. Translators, researchers, a mediating team, health professionals, a methodologist and a language specialist were needed to pass through the stages.