Theoretical Models of Disability

Question 1

Views disability as the problem of the person, caused by disease, trauma, or other health condition.

Answer 1

Medical Model

Question 2

Management of the disability is aimed at a ‘cure’ and medical care is viewed as the main issue and reformation to health care policy is needed.

Answer 2

Medical Model

Question 3

PWD feel excluded, undervalued, or pressured to fit a norm. PWD express frustration when they are met with pitying attitudes when they speak positively about disability. Views disability as a “problem” that belongs to the PWD.

Answer 3

Medical Model

Question 4

A strength of this model is that is can address the biological sources of disability, either by clinically curing them or providing ways to medically manage them.

Answer 4

Medical Model

Question 5

A weakness of this model is that it treats disability as the inherent problem of the person and seeks a cure which overlooks the sociopolitical constraints of the disability.

Answer 5

Medical Model

Question 6

Views disability as a socially created problem. Disability is not an attribute of an individual but a complex set of conditions created by the social environment.

Answer 6

Social Model

Question 7

Under this model, it is the responsibility of society at large to make the environment accessible for the full participation of PWD

Answer 7

Social Model

Question 8

A strength of this model is that it makes it clear that the barriers and challenges experienced by PWD are not inevitable or are they a characteristic of the person’s “broken” body.

Answer 8

Social Model

Question 9

A weakness of this model is that it can downplay the aspects of disability too much and can put activists at odds with people with other political interests.

Answer 9

Social Model

Question 10

A blend of medical and social model. ICF is based on this model.

Answer 10

Biopsychosocial Model

Question 11

Model of disability that defines disability by a person’s ability to participate in work. Assess degree to which the disability affects productivity. Considers profit margins for employer, state welfare payments.

Answer 11

Economic Model

Question 12

A strength of this model is that it recognizes the limitations on a person’s ability to work and that there may be a need for economic support or accommodation.

Answer 12

Economic Model

Question 13

A weakness of this model is that is creates a legally defined category of people who are ‘needy’ which can be stigmatizing. If a person doesn’t meet the legal threshold for ‘disabled’ then they may not receive the support they need.

Answer 13

Economic Model

Question 14

Practical perspective model that identifies limitations with emphasis on creating or promoting solutions to overcome limitations. Focus on reducing impact of limitations through technological or methodological innovation. Promotes entrepreneurship and inventiveness.

Answer 14

Functional Solutions Model

Question 15

A strength of this model is that it is results oriented and seeks to provide real-world solutions.

Answer 15

Functional Solutions Model

Question 16

A weakness of this model is that the need for profit can cause creators to miss the mark and create products that may be innovative but not practical or useful.

Answer 16

Functional Solutions Model

Question 17

Model refers to a sense of deriving a personal identity from membership within a group of like-minded individuals. Most evident among deaf culture.

Answer 17

Social Identity or Cultural Affiliation Model

Question 18

A strength of this model is that it accepts the disability completely and uses it as a point of pride in being associated with others with the same condition.

Answer 18

Social Identity or Cultural Affiliation Model

Question 19

A weakness of this model is that the sense of exclusion by people who don’t fit into the groups established expectations.

Answer 19

Social Identity or Cultural Affiliation Model

Question 20

This model regards PWD as unfortunate and in need of assistance.

Answer 20

Charity Model

Question 21

A strength of this model is that it can inspire others to donate their time and money to provide assistance.

Answer 21

Charity Model

Question 22

A weakness of this model is that it is condescending to PWD who may feel pitied and that they must depend on others.

Answer 22

Charity Model