The theoretical models of disability

Question 1

Name 12 theoretical models of disability

Answer 1

• Medical
• Social
• Economic
• Functional solutions
• Social identity/cultural affiliation(connection)
• Charity/tradegy
  ////
• Affirmation
• Sociopolitics
• Religious/moral
• Expert/professional
• Rehabilitation
• Biopsychosocial Model

Question 2

What model is described?

Views disability as a diagnosed biological problem due to genetic disorders, disease, trauma, or other health conditions.

Law leans to this definition to critically evaluate whether a person is impaired “enough” to receive benefits or accommodation.

The person has a problem that needs to be cured or fixed.

Answer 2

Medical

Question 3

What model is described?

Views disability as a condition created by bad design.

Society’s ecosystem institutes barriers for people.

It’s in response to the medical model, and rallies for change in the culture and ideology of society to be more inclusive.

Answer 3

Social

Question 4

What model is described?

Views disability as the inability of a person to work and contribute to society. It’s related to the Charity/Tradegy model.

Answer 4

Economic

(economic impact of the disability on individuals, employers, the state, and welfare programs.)

Question 5

What model is described?

Views disability as problem to be solved. Specifically, it seeks to overcome physical limitation with technology.

It takes a real-world approach to finding solutions that work, without getting hung up on theoretical or political questions.

Answer 5

Functional solutions

Question 6

What model is described?

Views disability as a community.

People who identify with a particular group or culture (e.g. deaf culture) become more involved with that culture and embrace their disability as part of their identity.

Answer 6

Socialt identity/cultural affiliation

Question 7

What model is described?

Views disability as tragic, unfortunate or inspirational. When this perspective becomes an attitude, it can become offensive to people with disabilities.

Answer 7

Charity/Tradegy

Question 8

What model is described?

Similar to the social identity model, it views disability as an chance to affirm (bekräfta) one’s identity and celebrate that part of self

Answer 8

Affirmation

Question 9

What model is described?

Views disability needs as a human right

Answer 9

Sociopolitical

Question 10

What model is described?

Views disability as an act of God to punish, test or teach the person

Answer 10

Religious/moral

Question 11

What model is described?

A variation of the medical model, it views disability as a condition to be treated or managed by experts

Answer 11

Expert/professional

Question 12

What model is described?

A variation of the medical model, it views disability as a condition to be treated by therapy and rehabilitation

Answer 12

Rehabilitation

Question 13

Medical model - weaknesses

Answer 13

• Treats disability as a problem or attribute of the individual (personality)
• Often overlooking the broader sociopolitical constraints by unwelcoming or inaccessible environments
  (right design decisions can help)
• To narrow definitions
• Inconvenient bureaucracy - prove their needs and rights over and over again

Question 14

Medical model - Strengths

Answer 14

• Address the biological sources of disabilities that put some people at a disadvantage
• Clear criteria for which support and rights are offered

Question 15

Social model - Weaknesses

Answer 15

• A person’s disability can be an important part of one’s identity, and it shouldn’t be minimized to the point that people are afraid to talk about it.
• Push for social justice in the political arena wich can put activists in conflict with people with other political interests (political opposition between groups can become strong)

Question 16

Social model - Strengths

Answer 16

• The big picture with the social model is that society can be more welcoming, more just, with a higher quality of life for all, if we make the effort to design with accessibility in mind.

Question 17

What model is described?

Incorporates the perspectives of the medical and social models. This includes the biological, individual, and social aspects of disability.

This model is the basis for the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), a publication by the World Health Organization in 2002.

Answer 17

Biopsychosocial Model

Question 18

Functional solutions - Strengths

Answer 18

It puts energy into ideas, technologies, and innovations that improve the lives of people with disabilities. The emphasis in this model is on building accessible environments, and on getting things done.

Question 19

Functional solutions - Weaknesses

Answer 19

If accessibility professionals are too focused on creating practical technological solutions, they may miss opportunities to address the larger social context.

Question 20

Social identity/Cultural affiliation - Strengths

Answer 20

• Fully accepting one’s disability can be an important part of one’s emotional and psychological well-being, and having a support network of friends with disabilities can be valuable on a personal level.
• People with disabilities can gain political strength by forming alliances and advocacy networks

Question 21

Social identity/Cultural affiliation - Weaknesses

Answer 21

Strongly identifying with other people with disabilities may partly be a result of feeling excluded from the rest of society.

Question 22

Charity/tradegy - Strengths

Answer 22

This model can create a sense of empathy in those without disabilities and inspire them to genuinely assist people with disabilities.

Question 23

Charity/tradegy - Weaknesses

Answer 23

People without disabilities are in the position of the givers; the “fortunate” ones. People with disabilities are in the position of the receivers; the “unfortunate” ones. This kind of arrangement sets up an unequal power balance, and an unhealthy social relationship between groups of people.