Social Model of Disability

L A I C SO L E D O M OF Y T I L I B A S I D

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autonomy disability pride inaccessibility social barriers

equal rights resources disabled value

informed exclusion

PRINCIPLES OF THE SOCIAL MODEL The social model of disability views individuals on the spectrum of disability as disabled through society’s inability to create spaces and life in general accessible. Under the social model of disability, diagnosis is often irrelevant.

Viewing disabled people from this perspective can support the narrative that disabled people do not hold a deficit because of their diagnosis but rather the environments that create barriers to inaccessibility.

In PRACTICE

A

Ramps can be used in building with stairs to allow people with mobility aids to access inaccessible spaces

RAMPS ASL interpretation

ASL (American Sign Language) Interpretation can also be used to elimate language barriers among those who are hearing imparied.

B

In practice a scenerio to consider Assume you are a Child and Youth Care Practioner in a public elementary school. A new student will be joining Ms. Sakamoto’s Grade 2 classroom next week. The child, Anya is a moterized wheelchair user and their parent is concerned that Anya’s wheelchair will not be able to fit underneath the desks in Ms. Sakomoto’s classroom. You and your collegues decide to come together to come up with a solution so that Anya is able to partipate in the classroom with the rest of their peers.

Which option would could you impliment in the classroom that would be considered a solution under the social model A. Suggests to Anya’s mother that she is moved to a “special ed” class because Ms. Sakomotos classroom is not set up to accommodate a motorized wheelchair B. If funds allow, replace the decks in the classroom for tables that all the children could sit at including Anya C. Make a “special” desk for Anya at the front of the classroom where she can sit away from the other students.

PART 2

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER How can child and youth practioners care for disabled individuals within the social model of disability when funding is limited?

How can child and youth care practioners collaborate with other professions with often times oppossing views such as doctors or police officers within a social model of disability?

How can child and youth practioners work with families to best support their disabled child who hold belives within the medical model?

NOTES FOR PRACTIONERS When child and youth care practioners are working within this model of disability automony needs to be the focus of our care. It is a privilege to be able to have access via funds or recources to be able to support our disabled clients in being able to make spaces and envirnments more accessible. With this privilege, Many practioners may develop a “saviour” mindset. This means that they believe they know what is best for their client and that just because of own role we have the authority to decide the best accomodations. Working from a social model of disability prespective in order to include disabled people within a society that is not fit for them. Practioners must remeber to include disabled people in all aspects of their care, including planning, execution and maintenance.

IMAGE DESCRIPtiONS A A photo of a grey ramp on a grey

sidewalk with yello indicators, a grey wheelchair is approaching the ramp and about to go up on it.

B A black man with short curly hair is

looking at the camera with a slight smile on his face behind a beige background.

The man is signing “take-care-off” in American Sign Language.