Disability: Perspectives and Models
How disability is constructed and perceived ultimately determines and influences how larger societal systems treat people with disabilities. Moving past definitions and models of disability that focus on negative embodiments, inability, and deficiency is critical if we are to consider accessibility and equity for people with disabilities in our teaching and learning institutions.
Disability
Disability is a complex term and cannot be defined in just one way that suits everyone. Each person's experience with disability is different. There are many ways to understand disability depending on the context and perspective, such as through government agencies, advocacy groups, and more. People often see disability as not "normal" and those without disabilities as being normal. This way of thinking creates problems for people with disabilities because it leads to discrimination and barriers to full participation. Disability is created by society, not biology, and is used to judge and treat people unfairly in many different areas of life (Withers, 2012). While some people define disability based on what a person can or cannot do, there are other ways to understand it. Disability can be understood as a part of life and a natural state of being, not just about what someone cannot do (Ladau, 2021). Disabilities can be temporary, like a broken bone, or permanent, like having mobility challenges. Some disabilities are easy to see, like a physical disability that affects someone's appearance or the way one communicates. Other disabilities, called "invisible disabilities," cannot be seen just by looking at someone.
Models of Disability
There are many different ways to understand disability, and these are called "models." Two of the most well-known models are the Medical Model and the Social Model. The Human Rights Model, however, represents a more comprehensive, social justice-informed view of disability. These three models help us understand how disability relates to us and the world and how our understanding of disability has changed.
The Medical Model
The Medical Model of Disability views disability as a deficiency or problem that lies within the individual not the society or environment around them. This model prioritizes medical diagnoses and documentation to identify and address disability. It has some major flaws: For one, the medical model tries to "fix" or "normalize" the disability (Haegele & Hodge, 2016). This model also assumes that people with disabilities cannot do normal things that "normal" people can do. Additionally, this model only looks at the individual and not the larger societal barriers that contribute to challenges or people with disabilities to access the same opportunities as others (deBie & Brown, 2017). This model is still very common and is used to determine many services and supports, such as academic accommodations, which often require a medical diagnosis. The Medical Model is widely recognized as problematic and limited in its understanding of disability.
The Social Model
The Social Model of Disability frames disability as a social experience that is created by the barriers and oppressive structures in society. Unlike the Medical Model, the Social Model posits that it is society that imposes disability on individuals through architectural, attitudinal, and systemic barriers (Oliver, 2013). The Social Model emphasizes the importance of removing these barriers to create a more inclusive society that is accessible to people with disabilities. The Social Model is a way of looking at disability and shifts the focus from the individual to the larger social and cultural environments (Brown and Leigh, 2018). This model is considered a more empowering and liberating way of understanding disability.
The Human Rights Model
The Human Rights Model of Disability emerged from the limitations of previous models and the global movement towards recognizing the inherent dignity of all individuals. This model asserts that disability is not an issue of medicine or social inequity alone but a matter of human rights. This model is grounded in the principle that individuals with disabilities are entitled to the same rights and freedoms as everyone else, without discrimination. It emphasizes the need for societies to accommodate individuals with disabilities by recognizing their legal rights and ensuring these rights are protected and fulfilled. This approach aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which advocates for the full integration of people with disabilities in all aspects of life, promoting autonomy, inclusion, and equal opportunities (United Nations, n.d.). The Human Rights Model is considered superior because it offers a more inclusive and equitable framework for addressing disability. Unlike the Medical Model, which focuses on the individual's impairment, or the Social Model, which targets societal barriers, the Human Rights Model encompasses both aspects while grounding them in the principles of equality and non-discrimination (Disability Advocacy Resource Unit, 2019). This model promotes a shift in perspective from viewing disability through a deficit lens and a problem to be fixed, to recognizing the systemic changes needed to empower individuals with disabilities.
REFERENCES
Disability, Models (Medical and Social) of Disability:
Brown, N., & Leigh, J. (2018). Ableism in academia: Where are the disabled and ill academics? Disability & Society, 33(6), 985-989.
de Bie, A., & Brown, K. (2017). Forward with flexibility: A teaching and learning resource on accessibility and inclusion. McMaster University. https://flexforward.pressbooks.com/
Haegele, J. A., & Hodge, S. (2016). Disability discourse: Overview and critiques of the medical and social models. Quest, 68(2), 193-206.
Ladau, E. (2021). Demystifying disability: What to know, what to say, and how to be an ally. Ten Speed Press.
Oliver, M. (2013). The social model of disability: Thirty years on. Disability & Society, 28(7), 1024-1026.
Withers, A.J. (2012). Disability politics & theory. Fernwood Publishing.
The Human Rights Model:
Disability Advocacy Resource Unit. (2019). How we talk about disability matters.
United Nations. (n.d.). Convention On The Rights Of Persons With Disabilities (CRPD).
Acknowledgements: This article is modeled after Disability: Perspectives and Models by Niagara College licensed CC BY. The Human Rights Model has been added from Disability: Perspectives and Models by Irene Stewart and licensed by St. Clair College CC BY NC SA.
