The Social Model of Disability

[lightningandsnow]

In the medical model, disabled people are seen as the problem. They need to change and adapt to circumstances (if they can), and there is no suggestion that society needs to change. This model reflects the World Health Organization definition of disability.

The social model has been developed by disabled people. In their view disability is caused by the barriers that exist within society and the way society is organised, which discriminates against people with impairments and excludes them from involvement and participation. This model reflects the Union of Physically Impaired Against Segregation (UPIAS) definition of disability.

From http://www.open.ac.uk/inclusiveteaching/pages/understanding-and-awareness/models-of-disability.php

I don't think a lot of people know about this, but it might be a helpful context to look at disability within.

Also, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_model_of_disability

[DustyJoe]

1. Then I am a problem

I am a disabled veteran and would love my body to adapt to the circumstance that I have shrapnel in my lungs and leg and be able to walk and breathe normally again. I have no thoughts that my disability is caused by a social barrier, but a 'physical disability' which I live with daily and ask for no one to feel sorry for any impairment. Why does everything have to get lumped into a 'social' disorder ?. Boggles the mind. There, rant over.

[lightningandsnow]

2. Hmm...well, the social model, I think, doesn't say impairments aren't real

or that they aren't impairments. And it doesn't mean you can't think that it would be nice for those impairments to be gone. It just says, I think, that the problem isn't always the person. A lot of it has to do with the social barriers.

[Donnachaidh]

3. I agree with you

This bit is nothing more than twaddle. Re-labeling something doesn't make it *new* or more important. It's the type of model *discussed* by people who haven't a clue as to what being disabled really is.

As useful as underwater basketweaving. :eyes: :shrug: