Megan Middleton Why do barriers exist? Unit 26 M1
M1- Assess barriers which may be experienced by individuals with additional needs, with
reference to models of disability
Communication
A communication barrier may arise if an individual with a visual disability has no access to braille.
The social model will view this as the society’s fault, this must be made aware of and braille must be
provided in more areas. The medical model says that the disability is at the fault of the individual,
they think that this can only be helped through medication or medical treatment. The holistic model
puts the individual at the centre. It focuses on the individuals physical, intellectual, emotional and
social needs.
Physical access
A physical barrier may arise for someone who has a mobility issue and is wheelchair bound.
The social model views the disability as the individual’s problem which can only be improved with
medication. The medical model views the disability as society’s problem, meaning that ramps into
buildings should be made more widely available. The holistic model sees the individual as a whole,
meaning that their physical, intellectual, emotional and social needs are taken into consideration.
Attitudes
Attitudinal barriers may include being prejudice against a colleague, this may be excluding the
individual from tasks or social situations. An attitudinal barrier could be stereotyping (e.g. assuming
disabled individuals are unhealthy). The social model would see this as wrong and that the attitudes
of society must change, this may mean that different terminology should be used in order to remain
sensitive to the individual. The medical model will agree with this as it believes that the problem is
the individuals and nobody else’s, it also says that prejudice acts would not be carried out if the
individual did not have the disability. The holistic model sees the individual as a whole, therefore it
would not agree with prejudice remarks as the disability does not make up the individual.
Employment opportunities
A barrier regarding employment could be a lack of access to the building, this may include no ramps
entering or exiting the building. The social model would see this as society should change to suit the
needs of the individual, this may be by adding ramps in order to access the building. The medical
model may agree with this as they believe that the disability defines the individual, meaning that
they are seen as incapable of working and instead need treatment. The holistic model would see this
as wrong as they believe that the disability does not define the individual and it does not change the
way that the person can work.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
https://www.businesstopia.net/communication/physical-barriers
https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=attitudinal+barriers
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/attitudinal-barriers-communication-11670.html
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/Pages/communication-problems-
carers.aspx
M1- Assess barriers which may be experienced by individuals with additional needs, with
reference to models of disability
Communication
A communication barrier may arise if an individual with a visual disability has no access to braille.
The social model will view this as the society’s fault, this must be made aware of and braille must be
provided in more areas. The medical model says that the disability is at the fault of the individual,
they think that this can only be helped through medication or medical treatment. The holistic model
puts the individual at the centre. It focuses on the individuals physical, intellectual, emotional and
social needs.
Physical access
A physical barrier may arise for someone who has a mobility issue and is wheelchair bound.
The social model views the disability as the individual’s problem which can only be improved with
medication. The medical model views the disability as society’s problem, meaning that ramps into
buildings should be made more widely available. The holistic model sees the individual as a whole,
meaning that their physical, intellectual, emotional and social needs are taken into consideration.
Attitudes
Attitudinal barriers may include being prejudice against a colleague, this may be excluding the
individual from tasks or social situations. An attitudinal barrier could be stereotyping (e.g. assuming
disabled individuals are unhealthy). The social model would see this as wrong and that the attitudes
of society must change, this may mean that different terminology should be used in order to remain
sensitive to the individual. The medical model will agree with this as it believes that the problem is
the individuals and nobody else’s, it also says that prejudice acts would not be carried out if the
individual did not have the disability. The holistic model sees the individual as a whole, therefore it
would not agree with prejudice remarks as the disability does not make up the individual.
Employment opportunities
A barrier regarding employment could be a lack of access to the building, this may include no ramps
entering or exiting the building. The social model would see this as society should change to suit the
needs of the individual, this may be by adding ramps in order to access the building. The medical
model may agree with this as they believe that the disability defines the individual, meaning that
they are seen as incapable of working and instead need treatment. The holistic model would see this
as wrong as they believe that the disability does not define the individual and it does not change the
way that the person can work.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
https://www.businesstopia.net/communication/physical-barriers
https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=attitudinal+barriers
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/attitudinal-barriers-communication-11670.html
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/Pages/communication-problems-
carers.aspx
