Comparing The Social And Medical Models Of Disability

There are several ‘models’ of disability, the two most frequently spoken about being the ‘social’ and the ‘medical’ models of disability. The medical model views the individual’s impairment as a problem and their inability to join in society to the full extent is a direct result of their it. The social model believes that it is not the individuals impairments that is holding them back as much as it is society’s lack of resources.

Those who support the medical model believe that it is the individual’s disability that holds them back. ‘In this model, also known as the individual model, the problems associated with disability are seen as lying solely within the individual and his or her medical condition or impairment’ (Sullivan, 2011). It is

This model looks for ways to remove barriers that inhibit people with disabilities from participating in in social activities. The social model sees barriers as being more than physical. Some people have a certain attitude towards people with disabilities due to prejudice and lack of knowledge. Many of these beliefs stem from the medical model which sees people as being held back by their disabilities. The social model completely contradicts this belief for example, ‘A child with a visual impairment wants to read the latest best-selling book, so that they can chat about it with their sighted friends. Under the medical model, there are very few solutions. A social model solution makes full-text audio recordings available when the book is first published. This means children with visual impairments can join in cultural activities with everyone else’ (Anon., n.d.). The belief that people with disabilities are inferior, weak, dependent or in need of a cure is rejected. In this model, disability is everything in society that confines and rejects people with disabilities i.e. prejudice, inaccessible buildings and segregated