Comparing Medical and Social Models of Disability

Disability is viewed through two models. Firstly, the medical model of disability, this views disability as being a limitation that is either physiological or biological; thus, this model emphasizes how disability is a personal deficit (Mallet and Runswick-Cole, 2014). This model in a sense discards the disabled person’s abilities and also it can suggest how the disabled person is helpless. The second model is the social model of disability. This model focuses on how society causes difficulties for disabled people through barriers, disabling environments, cultures and attitudes. Thus, the social model tries to shift the focus from the limitations of people who are impaired (Barnes, 2008).
In relation to disability and impairment there is a difference between what actually a disability is and what an impairment is. Firstly, disability is when society creates both physical and social barriers that limit the ability for people who are impaired to take part in everyday tasks. Whereas, impairment is a limitation that originated physically, mentally or sensory within a person (Disabled People International, 1982 cited in Goodley, in Mallet and Runswick-Cole, 2014). In a simpler form

Some barriers in which disabled people face are the inaccessibility of some education systems (Oliver, 2004). This barrier may not be present or apply to all nurseries, however, part of a child’s development can involve being able to move around within their environment, which is why access is especially a key factor for disabled children. Within the early years of a child’s life they develop at a rapid pace, thus being able to move within a nursery setting is a crucial factor (Palaiologou, 2016). For a disabled child, the ability to move freely within their education setting is crucial as it can influence any potential relationships but also it can have an impact on how they