Theoretical Models Flashcards
What are some strengths of the medical model of disability?
It acknowledges the biological reality of disabilities.
In a clinical medical setting, this model can help inform decisions about treatments
What are some weaknesses of the medical model of disability?
It focuses solely on biology to the exclusion of the impact of design decisions on our social environment
It assigns the disability as a characteristic that can stigmatize the person
Definitions of disabilities or conditions can be narrow in a way that impacts eligibility for benefits
Having to prove one’s disability can be time-consuming and dehumanizing
What does the social model of disability point out?
The social model points out that society creates disabling conditions. Disability, then, is an avoidable condition caused by poor design
What are some strengths of the social model of disability?
It empowers people with disabilities by removing the stigma associated with physical impairments
It empowers designers of physical and virtual environments to think about usability for all people
It promotes the fact that society can be more welcoming, with a higher quality of life for all, if we just design with accessibility in mind
What is a weakness of the social model of disability?
The model can de-emphasize the physical reality of a disability too much
What are some strengths of the functional solutions model of disability?
It focuses on results that benefit people with disabilities.
It takes a real world approach to finding solutions that work, without getting hung up on theoretical or political questions
The emphasis is on building accessible environments and getting things done
What are some weaknesses of the functional solutions model of disabilities?
Even if a solution is innovative, it might not be useful.
A11y professional may focus on technical solutions and miss the broader social context
Name an example of the social identity model
Deaf culture - and all the variations of sign language
List some strengths of the social identity model of disability
It offers self-acceptance and is empowering
Advocacy networks can provide political strength through a collective voice
Weaknesses of the social identity model
It doesn’t always serve as a useful basis for technical definitions of disability
It may be a result of people feeling excluded from the rest of society
What are some strengths of the charity or tragedy model of disability?
It can create a sense of empathy and in those without disabilities and inspire them to genuinely assist people with disabilities
What are some weaknesses of the charity or tragedy model of disability?
It encourages unequal social and political relationships between people
It can be offensive by classifying people as fortunate vs. unfortunate
Describe the affirmation model
Similar to the social identity model, it encourages people with disabilities to affirm their identity and feel comfortable in their own skin
Describe the sociopolitical model
This is an activist model that encourages human rights for people with disabilities
Describe the religious/moral model
This model assumes that the disability was given to the person as a punishment for their (or their parents’) actions, or that it was given by God to teach a lesson or test the person
