An exploration of the two dominant frameworks for understanding disability: the medical model, which views disability as a problem to be fixed or cured, and the social model, which views disability as a social construct that is created by societal barriers and discrimination.
Definition of disability: Understanding the various models of disability requires a clear understanding of the definition of disability. Disability can be defined as a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term impact on a person's ability to perform everyday activities.
Medical model of disability: The medical model views disability as a physical or mental condition that requires medical intervention to "fix" the person's symptoms. The focus is on the individual's medical diagnosis rather than the social or environmental factors that may contribute to their disability.
Social model of disability: The social model views disability as a social construct rather than a medical condition. According to this model, people with disabilities are disabled by the social, physical, and attitudinal barriers in society, such as inaccessible buildings, discriminatory attitudes, and lack of access to education, employment, and healthcare.
Impairment vs. disability vs. handicap: These terms are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings. Impairment refers to a person's physical or mental condition, disability refers to the impact of that condition on a person's ability to participate in society, and handicap refers to the disadvantage or barrier created by society due to a person's disability.
Social determinants of health: The social determinants of health are the social and environmental factors that influence health outcomes, such as education, income, access to healthcare, housing, and social support. People with disabilities are often at a disadvantage in these areas due to discrimination and lack of accessibility.
Disability rights and advocacy: Disability rights and advocacy are movements that aim to promote equality and inclusion for people with disabilities. Disability advocates work to improve accessibility, eliminate discrimination, and promote the social model of disability.
Medical and social interventions: Medical interventions focus on treating the symptoms or underlying causes of a disability, while social interventions aim to improve the person's ability to participate in society through accessibility, social support, and adaptive technologies.
Intersectionality and disability: Intersectionality refers to the interconnectedness of different identities, such as race, gender, and sexuality, and how they intersect to create unique experiences of discrimination and oppression. People with disabilities may face additional discrimination and barriers due to their intersecting identities.
Disability and employment: People with disabilities are often discriminated against in the workplace and may face barriers to entry, lack of accommodations, and stigma. Employment is an important factor in promoting inclusion and reducing poverty among people with disabilities.
Disability and education: Access to education is essential for ensuring equality of opportunity for people with disabilities. However, people with disabilities may face barriers such as lack of accommodations, stigma, and limited access to specialized education.
The Medical Model of Disability: It views the disability as a personal tragedy or a deficiency within the individual. This model focuses on impairments and disabilities that are viewed as medical problems. Patients are medicalized and treated for their condition. Rehabilitation and medical interventions are used to fix or cure the person's condition so that they can be normalized.
The Social Model of Disability: This model sees disability as a product of social, environmental, and structural barriers such as inaccessible spaces, negative attitudes, and discrimination. The focus is on the interaction between the individual and their environment. The social model is more about changing society, disabling barriers so that everyone can participate in society equally. This model places more emphasis on adaptation.
The Cultural Model: Disability is viewed as a cultural identity or a social construct. This model advocates for the recognition of disabled people as a cultural minority with their unique identity and experiences. People with disabilities should have the same rights as other minority groups, including the right to representation and respect for diversity.
The Rights-Based Model: This model focuses on the human rights of disabled people. It recognizes the rights of disabled people to receive equal treatment, non-discrimination, and full participation in all aspects of social and economic life. It also ensures that people with disabilities have access to education, employment, and healthcare, among other things.
The Interactional Model: This model incorporates both medical and social models. It recognizes that disability is not solely a personal issue, but rather a biopsychosocial event. This model is hinged around two major terms; person-environment interaction and disability. The emphasis is on the integration of both medical and social models of disability to form one coherent model.
The Capability Model: The capability model does not focus on an individual's impairments or disability. It instead emphasizes that the individual has the capability to develop their full potential and provides support to enable them to reach that potential. This model focuses on people's capabilities, rather than their limitations.
The Political Model: This model is a tool used by activists to promote and defend the rights of people with disabilities. It is less about studying disability but more about political action. This model involves advocacy work, public education, and changing institutional practices that oppress disabled people. It is anchored on disability studies, critical disability studies, and disability history.