Social Model of Disability
The Social Model of Disability is a theoretical and political framework that argues
disability is created primarily by social, environmental and attitudinal barriers
rather than by an individual's physical, sensory, intellectual or mental
impairment. Unlike the medical model, which focuses on diagnosis, treatment
and impairment, the Social Model distinguishes between impairment, referring to
an individual's physical or cognitive condition, and disability, referring to the
barriers imposed by society that restrict participation and inclusion. Within social
work, the Social Model promotes equality, empowerment and human rights by
encouraging practitioners to challenge discrimination and remove barriers that
prevent individuals from participating fully in society (Oliver, 1990).
The Social Model of Disability emerged during the 1970s through the disability
rights movement, particularly the work of the Union of the Physically Impaired
Against Segregation (UPIAS) in the United Kingdom. Disabled activists argued
that many of the difficulties they experienced resulted not from their
impairments but from inaccessible buildings, discriminatory attitudes, inflexible
services and exclusionary policies. Building on these ideas, sociologist Mike
Oliver formally developed and popularised the Social Model during the 1980s,
positioning it as an alternative to the dominant medical model of disability
(Oliver, 1990).
A central principle of the Social Model is the distinction between impairment and
disability. Impairment refers to an individual's physical, sensory, intellectual or
mental difference or condition. Disability, however, arises when society fails to
accommodate that impairment through accessible environments, inclusive
policies or equal opportunities. For example, a wheelchair user is not disabled by
their inability to walk but by buildings without ramps or lifts. Similarly, a deaf
person is disabled when communication is inaccessible because sign language
interpretation or captioning is unavailable.
The Social Model also highlights the importance of barrier removal. Barriers may
be physical, such as inaccessible transport or buildings; attitudinal, including
prejudice and stereotypes; communication-related, such as inaccessible
information; or institutional, where organisational policies unintentionally
exclude disabled people. Practitioners are encouraged to identify and challenge
these barriers rather than focusing solely on individuals' impairments.
The Social Model of Disability is a theoretical and political framework that argues
disability is created primarily by social, environmental and attitudinal barriers
rather than by an individual's physical, sensory, intellectual or mental
impairment. Unlike the medical model, which focuses on diagnosis, treatment
and impairment, the Social Model distinguishes between impairment, referring to
an individual's physical or cognitive condition, and disability, referring to the
barriers imposed by society that restrict participation and inclusion. Within social
work, the Social Model promotes equality, empowerment and human rights by
encouraging practitioners to challenge discrimination and remove barriers that
prevent individuals from participating fully in society (Oliver, 1990).
The Social Model of Disability emerged during the 1970s through the disability
rights movement, particularly the work of the Union of the Physically Impaired
Against Segregation (UPIAS) in the United Kingdom. Disabled activists argued
that many of the difficulties they experienced resulted not from their
impairments but from inaccessible buildings, discriminatory attitudes, inflexible
services and exclusionary policies. Building on these ideas, sociologist Mike
Oliver formally developed and popularised the Social Model during the 1980s,
positioning it as an alternative to the dominant medical model of disability
(Oliver, 1990).
A central principle of the Social Model is the distinction between impairment and
disability. Impairment refers to an individual's physical, sensory, intellectual or
mental difference or condition. Disability, however, arises when society fails to
accommodate that impairment through accessible environments, inclusive
policies or equal opportunities. For example, a wheelchair user is not disabled by
their inability to walk but by buildings without ramps or lifts. Similarly, a deaf
person is disabled when communication is inaccessible because sign language
interpretation or captioning is unavailable.
The Social Model also highlights the importance of barrier removal. Barriers may
be physical, such as inaccessible transport or buildings; attitudinal, including
prejudice and stereotypes; communication-related, such as inaccessible
information; or institutional, where organisational policies unintentionally
exclude disabled people. Practitioners are encouraged to identify and challenge
these barriers rather than focusing solely on individuals' impairments.
