THE SOCIALMODELVS. THE MEDICALMODELOF DISABILITY

For a long time, the medical model of disability was the prevalent model for talking about disabled people This model suggests that people are disabled because of impairments or conditions they have, and suggests that they themselves are the problem It views the disability of an individual as a medical problem which needs to be prevented, cured or contained

The social model, by contrast, was developed by disabled people to identify and take action against disabled people’s oppression and exclusion It offers a way of thinking that places society as the problem, rather than disabled individuals

Disabled people face barriers that stop them from taking part in society in the same way as non-disabled people

There are physical barriers that disabled people face These could include things like:

● Asign that someone with a visual impairment can’t read.

● An inaccessible building without wheelchair ramps.

● Awebpage with flashing animations that could trigger a seizure

There are also social barriers or attitudinal barriers, like stereotypical beliefs that non-disabled people have about disabled people.Assuming that a disabled person “can’t do” something creates a barrier for that person.

According to the social model of disability, it’s these barriers that make a person disabled

Disability isn’t something that exists inside your body or your mind. It’s something that is created by an inaccessible society

“I am not disabled until I try and function in an environment which has been designed and built for, and probably by, people who are not like me” - Michèle Taylor (Director for Change, Ramps on the Moon) on the Social Model of Disability.

Sources:

The Social Model of Disability - Sense

The Social Model of Disability - Inclusion London Director for Change, Michèle Taylor explains the social model of disability on BBC 5 Live -YouTube