Disability Models
In contrast to the medical interpretation that views disability as a result of biological deficit, the social model emphasises social oppression as the main cause of disablement, while the affirmative model provides a positive alternative representation for people with disabilities.
Medical Model
The biomedical approach to disability mainly focuses on the person and resists consideration of environmental factors.
- Disability is restriction or lack of ability due to impairment
- Person with disability is identified as someone whose body doesn’t function properly or looks different
- Disability is an individual problem that results from something wrong with the person
Social Model
- Disability is a disadvantage caused by the system of social structure and control
- It is society’s failure to remove the social, economic, and environmental barriers
- The disability movement increases public awareness of disability discrimination and changes attitudes towards disability.
WESA.FM
Affirmative Model
- Positive social identities, both individual and collective,
- Affirming that a positive identity can encompasses impairment as well as disability
- Disability is a difference that should be celebrated as it can enrich people’s lives
