The Challenge of Disability and Access: Reconceptualizing the Role of the Medical Model

Abstract

The fields of social work and disability seek to optimize well-being and life experience for clients with disabilities. The field of disability has defined and explored several frameworks for understanding disability, which are currently polarized between the problem-centered "medical" models and the social "disability as construction" models. The differences and the interplay between them affects both individuals and society. Four foundational social work theoretical models are considered in terms of their ability to integrate with disability frameworks and to address the differences between them. The bio-psycho-socio-cultural-spiritual model is suggested as the optimal model to both resolve the disability frameworks' duality and to optimally integrate social work and disability service provision.

The Role of Disability Groups in the Development and Implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

“…The medical model of disability, long the mainstay of government disability policy, emphasizes the problematic and individualistic nature of the disability with the goal of rehabilitating or "fixing" the individual so they may integrate into mainstream society. In contrast is the social model that views disability as a social construct where disability is a product of the social environment and, as such, society needs to change to accommodate differences (Rothman, 2010;Mitra, 2006;Barnes & Mercer, 2004a, b;Hahn, 2002;Pfeiffer, 2001). …”

Accessibility and digital media: exploring economic and social opportunities for inclusive design

“…Both frameworks have been instrumental in the formation of the term 'disability' as is understood today. The medical model, the prevalent school of thought until more recent history, defines disability within the confines of one's impairment (Hoppestad, 2007;Rothman, 2010;Easton, 2013;Gallagher, Connor, & Ferri, 2014;Goering, 2015). According to the medical model any disadvantages experienced by an individual are due to an existing physical, developmental or learning impairment, which can only be remedied through medical treatment (Goering, 2015).…”

“…According to the medical model any disadvantages experienced by an individual are due to an existing physical, developmental or learning impairment, which can only be remedied through medical treatment (Goering, 2015). The social model, a more recently adopted framework, argues disabilities are created through societal constructions (Rothman, 2010;Easton, 2013;Gallagher, Connor, & Ferri, 2014;Goering, 2015). The accessibility of the physical environment, stereotypes, constructs of 'normalcy' and employment discrimination are only a few examples of ways in which disability manifests itself, within the context of the social model (Rothman, 2010).…”

“…The social model, a more recently adopted framework, argues disabilities are created through societal constructions (Rothman, 2010;Easton, 2013;Gallagher, Connor, & Ferri, 2014;Goering, 2015). The accessibility of the physical environment, stereotypes, constructs of 'normalcy' and employment discrimination are only a few examples of ways in which disability manifests itself, within the context of the social model (Rothman, 2010). In short, while the medical model focuses on the individual's control over change and effort, the social model puts the focus on existing social institutions and the necessary changes in ways of thinking (Rothman, 2010).…”

Trabajo Social y discapacidad intelectual. Una perspectiva de género en centros residenciales y de día [Social Work and Intelectual Disability. Gender Perspective in Residential and Day Care Institutions]

“…gEndEr pErspEctivE in rEsidEntial and day carE institutions rosa díaz-jiMénEz introduCCión Este trabajo surge del interés por comprender los procesos de intervención del Trabajo Social en relación a las personas con discapacidad intelectual en uno de los contextos institucionales a los que tradicionalmente están vinculadas: los centros residenciales y de día. Desde el Trabajo Social se ha contextualizado la situación histórica de dificultad de las personas con discapacidad para vivir una vida plena y productiva, con independencia, en una sociedad cargada de estigma y discriminación y con unas políticas y prácticas que las han considerado no aptas para la sociedad, enfermas, funcionalmente limitadas (Prendes, 1968;Aspiroz, 1977;Prendes, 1979;Barranco, 1999Barranco, , 2000Martínez, 1996Martínez, ,2003Mackelprang y Salsgiver, 1996;Díaz, 2003;May y Raske, 2005;Oliver y Sapey, 2006;Rothman, 2010;Mackelprang, 2010) El foco científico respecto a las mujeres con discapacidad intelectual ha sido reciente, una situación paralela a la padecida por cualquier cuestión que haya necesitado una perspectiva de género. Históricamente la invisibilidad de estas mujeres ha sido una constante (Lloyd, 1992;Morris, 1996;Shakespeare, 1998;Wendell, 1997;López, 2008) La agenda de investigación del Trabajo Social ha incluido la situación de las mujeres con discapacidad intelectual normalmente desde posiciones críticas (Williams, 1992;Dominelli, 2005) con argumentos contra la esterilización de las mujeres con discapacidad (Brady y Grover, 1997;Burgen, 2007) y la defensa de sus derechos a la maternidad y los apoyos necesarios para las que deciden ser madres o para las que son madres, si les dejan (McConnell et.al.…”