This is the models of disability page and contains information on the social model of disability and the medical model of disability. Would you like to skip to the page content.
This perspective of disability has been developed by disabled people.
It gives us a tool for change, leads to action plans and benefits the lives of all people.
Disabled People’s groups coined the phrase by separating the meanings of the words Impairment and Disability.
Impairment is the limitation of function based on medical condition.
Disability is caused by barriers to access in the environment and services most people take for granted.
Impairments are as varied as people and in the main they cannot change.
Impairments are often invisible and can be acquired or genetic, impairment often accompanies getting older.
Disability as defined by the social model, is caused by lack of access to the environment, streets and buildings. Lack of access to information in different formats such as Braille or large print.
Impairment cannot change but social structures can.
Andrew Hubbard asks “why am I more disabled depending on which town I am in?” or “ why am I more disabled at work than I am at home?”
Training based on the social Model of disability enables everyone to identify the things that disable us all and begin an action plan to improve access or remove the barriers where possible.
This perspective, view of disabled people is the traditional way of regarding disability.
Media representations of tragic victims has developed a fear of disability.
The medicalisation of disability developed in the 19 Century led to the segregation and institutionalisation of disabled people.
Disabled People are very likely to be unemployed, about 75 % are not in employment.
The Medical Model places the impairment/illness at the center of what is seen as the problem. The individual carries the responsibility for their exclusion not the discrimination or lack of access to the environment.
Attempts to improve access are usually seen as unreasonable and too costly.
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