Models of disability

Abstract

This paper critically reviews medical approaches to the identification and treatment of disability. The medical model locates disability within individuals. By contrast, this paper argues that disability cannot be understood outside its social context. As such, some of the assumptions about normality and difference which underpin traditional approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of disabled people are challenged. If it is accepted that disability is located not solely within the mind or body of an individual, but rather in the relationship between people with particular bodily and intellectual differences and their social environment, then greater focus may be placed on ameliorating disability through changes in social policy, culture and institutional practices.

Self-reported quality of life of 8–12-year-old children with cerebral palsy: a cross-sectional European study

“…21 In particular, those in agreement with the social model of disability 22 will agree with the phrase "child with impairment" but prefer "disabled child" because the child is disabled by society or the environment. The phrase "child with disability", although laudable for being child centred, nevertheless implies that the disability is something residing in or intrinsic to the child.…”

Concepts of disablement in documents guiding physical therapy practice

“…7 She advocates for a shift in focus from identifying the disabled to ®nding out how the speci®c category of disability is produced by the society.…”

“…In the predraft volume of this document, disability functioned as an umbrella term for impairments, activity limitations and/or participation restrictions. 7 Disability, a multidimensional phenomenon, depends on individuals and environments. The interaction of health characteristics and contextual factors produce disability.…”

“…According to this view, environmental factors must be addressed during the examination of disability. 7 According to social model writers, disability cannot be primarily de®ned by disease or vocational attributes of individuals. Disability is a complex collection of conditions, many of which are created by the social environment.…”

Self and other through the prism of AIDS: a literary examination of relationships with patients

“…Central to the modernist idea of self is the concept of borders, which establish a self that is fixed and categorical [14,15,19,31]. To crystallize its identity, the self creates rigid boundaries between both external others ("These are not my kind of people") and internal others ("These aspects of myself are unacceptable").…”