Validating the potential of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health to identify barriers to and facilitators of consumer participation.

Background: Occupational therapists need tools to identify barriers and facilitators to participation in societal roles.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the potential of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) two-level classification for use in occupational therapy.

Methods: A secondary analysis of an existing dataset was conducted to identify participation barriers and facilitators that mapped to the ICF and those that did not.

Results: A broad range of factors was captured across the components of the ICF. Findings also revealed enabling and disabling factors that were not evident in the ICF.

Practice Implications: The ICF can support the identification of a broad range of external barriers and facilitators relevant to participation and of interest to occupational therapy. However, therapists must use other strategies to gain a comprehensive understanding of the nature, extent and consequences of barriers and facilitators that may exist in a given