Reflections and debate from social work regarding the Scale of Contextual and Environmental Factors for disability assessment

Abstract

This article aims to report on the conceptual, evaluative, and operational modifications brought about by the implementation of Royal Decree 888/2022, of October 18, which establishes the procedure for the recognition, declaration, and qualification of the degree of disability for the professional practice of social work. It also seeks to convey the various debates that have emerged within the profession as a result of the paradigm shift that the new regulations have imprinted on the criteria for the social assessment of disability. The enactment of Royal Decree 888/2022, dated October 18 and published in the Boletin Oficial del Estado (BOE) on October 20, 2022, represents a significant milestone in the advancement of disability assessment frameworks. Until 2023, the recognition, declaration, and determination of disability degrees were governed by Royal Decree 1971/1999, of December 23. The publication of the new legislative text marked a paradigmatic shift in the international conceptualization of disability, incorporating the biopsychosocial model of health. This model transcends the traditional biomedical approach by integrating biological, psychological, and social dimensions in the analysis of health and disability. Nevertheless, the shift in the conceptual axis, brought about by the alignment with the criteria and parameters set forth by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF), has also given rise to a series of challenges, inconsistencies, and systemic dysfunctions. The objective of this document is to present, from the perspective of direct professional practice in social work, the principal transformations that have emerged at the normative, conceptual, methodological, and operational levels following the implementation of the new legal framework. It also seeks to outline the main debates and reflections that have arisen during this period of intense change within the disability assessment sector. It is worth highlighting the absence of scholarly literature that addresses these developments from the standpoint of Social Work, particularly studies offering a detailed account of the internal mechanisms and procedural dynamics of the teams responsible for disability evaluations. As such, this contribution is expected to offer substantial value to both the academic field and professional practice.