Theoretical Models of Disability Flashcards
Medical Model
The medical model defines disability in terms of biological impairments. Disability is viewed as a problem that is caused by medically-diagnosed genetic disorders, disease, trauma, or other health conditions. Disability is treated as a biological problem that diminishes quality of life and needs to be treated with professional medical care.
Strengths of the Medical Model
The medical model explicitly acknowledges that there is a biological condition that places an individual at a disadvantage compared to the majority of the population. In other words, it states an obvious point about the biological reality of disabilities.
In a clinical medical setting, a clearly-defined set of biological criteria to diagnose a person’s condition helps medical professionals make important decisions in terms of treatment. Similarly, when deciding who should receive government assistance, a clearly-defined set of criteria helps inform those decisions.
Weaknesses of the Medical Model
First, the medical model focuses exclusively on the biology of the person, which means that it overlooks the impact of the design decisions in our social environment.
Second, the medical model assigns disability as a characteristic of an individual person, essentially labeling and stigmatizing the person as different and “less than” the rest of the population.
Third, when medical definitions are used as a way to determine who is “worthy” of certain benefits, people who do not fit within the clearly-defined definitions may be denied benefits that they need.
Fourth, if individuals are required to prove that they have a qualifying disability according to some pre-defined list of medical conditions, this requirement adds a level of inconvenient bureaucracy to their lives.
Social Model
The social model of disability is a direct response to the medical model. Rather than place the definition of “disability” entirely on the person with a disability, the social model points out that society creates disabling conditions. To a large extent, “disability” is an avoidable condition caused by poor design.
Strengths of the Social Model
The social model empowers people with disabilities by removing the stigma often associated with physical impairments. The expectation is that society will create inclusive environments, and not that people with disabilities need to accept a lower quality of life simply because their bodies do not conform to “normal” expectations.
The social model also empowers designers of physical and virtual environments to think broadly about usability for all kinds of humans. Inclusive designs sometimes require more creative thinking, but this can be a benefit, because the resulting designs are often better for everyone, not just for people with disabilities.
Weaknesses of the Social Model
Some disability advocates have argued that, despite the positive impact of the social model to combat the narrowly-focused and exclusive nature of the medical model, the social model can de-emphasize the physical reality of a disability too much. They argue that 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. Accepting and “owning” one’s disability can be very healthy from an emotional and psychological perspective.
Biopsychosocial Model
The biopsychosocial model recognizes that disability is a complex and multi-faceted concept and 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.
Economic Model
The economic model views disabilities from the perspective of the economic impact of the disability on individuals, employers, the state, and welfare programs.
Weaknesses of the Economic Model
While this model does well to recognize that bodily limitations impact work, it may also create a sense of stigma. In other words, if a group of people is legally defined as needing assistance such as disability payments, they may be negatively viewed as being “needy” members of society. We can see how in this way, the economic model is closely related to the charity model. In addition, many people have disabilities that significantly impact their ability to work, but they do not meet the legal definition of having a disability and therefore do not qualify for various assistance programs.
Functional Solutions Model
The functional solutions model of disability is related to the social model of disability. The functional solutions model takes a practical approach to disability by identifying the functional impairments, or limitations, that are a result of disability. The model then seeks out solutions for eradicating these limitations through advancements in technology or methodology. There is less of a focus on the social and political aspects of disability, but more focus on applying innovation to overcoming the limitations of disability.
Strengths of the Functional Solutions Model
This model 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. It instead 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.
Weaknesses of the Functional Solutions Model
Even if a technology or solution is innovative, sometimes it is not the most useful solution to broader problems, which may be a result of the social and environmental barriers people with disabilities face. If accessibility professionals are too focused on creating practical technological solutions, they may miss opportunities to address the larger social context. Sometimes addressing the larger social context works so well that it can make a specific technological solution obsolete.
Social Identity or Cultural Affiliation Model
People with disabilities may develop a sense of personal identity through consorting with others who share similar life experiences based on their disability. Together, the group develops a sense of culture based on these shared experiences.
Deaf Culture and Identity
Social identity can be particularly strong among people who are deaf who share linguistic experiences as sign language users. Sign language truly is a language. In fact, there are many different sign languages, each with its own vocabulary and grammar, akin to the variance in spoken and written languages.
Because the vast majority of hearing people do not speak any sign language, deaf people who speak sign language tend to spend time with each other, where they can communicate in their shared language. Communication with hearing people can be more difficult, so it’s often harder for deaf people to befriend hearing people.
There are even deaf theater productions, deaf television shows, and other avenues of deaf artistic expression that help to strengthen deaf cultural bonds.
Strengths of the Social Identity or Cultural Affiliation Model
Self-Acceptance and Empowerment: 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—even if they don’t have the same type of disability—can be a valuable asset on a personal level.
Political Strength: Beyond the personal level, people with disabilities can gain political strength by forming alliances and advocacy networks. It is easier to petition for political change as a group with a collective voice, rather than merely as individuals.
