Theoretical Models of Disability

Question 1

What is the medical model?

Answer 1

• Views disability as problem of person
• Management of disability is aimed at a cure
  (e.g. if person in wheelchair cannot go up steps, it’s the person’s fault, not steps)

Question 2

What are the strengths of the medical model?

Answer 2

Can address biological sources of disabilities by clinically curing them or finding ways to medically manage conditions

Question 3

What are the weaknesses of the medical model?

Answer 3

Treats disability as problem of individual instead of broader sociopolitical constraints. People with disabilities often feel excluded, undervalued, pressured to fit questionable norms

Question 4

What is the social model?

Answer 4

View disability as caused by society. Management of problem requires social action and is collective responsibility of society. Acknowledges attitudes towards disabilities can present barriers too

Question 5

What are strengths of the social model?

Answer 5

Emphasizes the challenges people with disabilities face aren’t inevitable. Society can improve the lives of people with disabilities

Question 6

What are weaknesses of the social model?

Answer 6

Can downplay embodied aspects of disability, as if it has nothing to do with body. Push for social justice can put activities at odds with other political interests

Question 7

What is the biopsychosocial model?

Answer 7

Accounts for both social & biomedical models of disability. Considers biological, physiological (thoughts, emotions, behaviors like distress and fear), and social (socioeconomical/environmental/cultural aspects like work issues, family situation) aspects. WHO’s ICF (Int’l Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health) uses biopsychosocial model.

Question 8

What are strengths of the biopsychosocial model?

Answer 8

Can be used in rehabilitation; integrates healthcare workers and social workers to account for medical and social situation

Question 9

What are weaknesses of the biospsychosocial model?

Answer 9

Combo of health & social may possibly downplay medical needs and lead to definition of disability as only societal. Classification is complex, can lead to difficulties in implementation

Question 10

What is the economic model?

Answer 10

Defines disability in terms of person’s inability to work. There are economic consequences for individual (loss of earnings), for employer (lower profit), and for state (state welfare payments). Directly related to charity model. Used by policymakers to determine disability benefits

Question 11

What are strengths of the economic model?

Answer 11

Recognizes effect of bodily limitations on person’s ability to work and that may require economic support

Question 12

What are weaknesses of the economic model?

Answer 12

Creates legally defined group of “needy” people, can be stigmatizing. If person doesn’t meet legal “threshold,” they may not get support needed

Question 13

What is the functional solutions model?

Answer 13

Practical, identifies limitations/functional impairments due to disability with intent to make solutions. Main goal is to eliminate or reduce impact of functional limitations of body with tech innovation.
Work of accessibility professionals can be viewed from functional solutions model.

Question 14

What are strengths of the functional solutions model?

Answer 14

Results-oriented and seeks to solve real-world challenges. Attends to needs of people and aimed at providing services.

Question 15

What are weaknesses of the functional solutions model?

Answer 15

Profit-driven entrepreneurs may create products that aren’t practical or useful. Some products may benefit entrepreneur more than actual audience, esp if it’s expensive.
Narrow focus on technology may lead to missed opportunities where social/political/environmental solutions could be more effective.

Question 16

What is the social identity or cultural affiliations model?

Answer 16

Refers to sense of deriving personal identity from membership in like-minded group.
Most evident in deaf community; other people with disabilities may feel sense of belonging in community with common life experiences.

Question 17

What are strengths of the social identity/cultural affiliations model?

Answer 17

Accepts person’s disability and uses it as point of pride

Question 18

What are weaknesses of the social identity/cultural affiliations model?

Answer 18

Sense of belonging can be counterbalanced with feelings of exclusion for people who don’t fit group expectations.

Question 19

What is the charity model?

Answer 19

Sees people with disabilities as unfortunate and in need of outside help. People providing charity are seen as benevolent contributors. Related to medical model (sees disability as individual’s problem) and economic model (sees disability in terms of economic consequences)

Question 20

What are strengths of the charity model?

Answer 20

Can inspire people to contribute resources/time to provide help when genuinely needed

Question 21

What are weaknesses of the charity model?

Answer 21

Can be condescending towards people with disabilities. People with disabilities may resent feeling like an object of pity. Often focuses on short-term fixes at expense of long-term effective solutions