IAAP CPACC - Domain 1 -
Disabilities, Challenges and
Assistive Technologies Questions
and Answers.
What is the medical model of disability? - Answer Views disability as a biological impairment caused
by a medically-diagnosed genetic disorder, disease, trauma, or other health condition; tries to solve
disability with a medical treatment or cure
What model of disability does the legal definition often rely on? - Answer the medical model
What are the strengths of the medical model of disability? - Answer it explicitly acknowledges that
there is a biological condition that can place an individual at a disadvantage; if a person has a
medical diagnosis, it could give them access to services.
What are the weaknesses of the medical model of disability? - Answer it treats disability as a
problem or inherent characteristic of the person; it ignores the broader socio-political constraints
and issues with the environment; there is a danger that the definitions might be too narrow and too
exclusive for some people with disabilities.
What is the social model of disability? - Answer direct response to the medical model, it frames
disability as a problem with society, which contains environmental, social, and organizational
barriers to those with disabilities.
What are the strengths of the social model of disability? - Answer The focus on issues in the
environment and society makes it clear that barriers aren't inevitable; it looks at how society can
improve
What are the weaknesses of the social model of disability? - Answer it can de-emphasize the physical
reality of a disability too much
What is the bio psychosocial model of disability? - Answer it recognizes that disability is a complex
and multi-faceted concept and includes the biological, individual, and social aspects of disability.
What is the economic model of disability? - Answer Views disabilities from the perspective of the
economic impact of the disability on individuals, employers, the state, and welfare programs.
, What are the strengths of the economic model of disability? - Answer it recognizes the effect of
bodily limitations on a person's ability to work, and that there may be a need for economic support
and/or accommodations
What are the weaknesses of the economic model of disability? - Answer It creates a legally defined
category of people who are needy, which is stigmatizing; it requires people to meet a legal threshold
What is the functional solutions model of disability? - Answer Views disability as a problem to be
solved by inventing new solutions
What are the strengths of the functional solutions model of disability? - Answer Results-focused;
trying to provide solutions to challenges and come up with new, innovative ideas
What are the weaknesses of the functional solutions model of disability? - Answer Treats disability as
a problem to solve but the solution might not be practical or useful; often ignores socioeconomic
factors
What is the social identity or cultural affiliation model of disability? - Answer Refers to a sense of
driving personal identity from membership within a group (example: Deaf community)
What are the strengths of the social identity or cultural affiliation model of disability? - Answer Self-
acceptance and empowerment, can be a point of pride
What are the weaknesses of the social identity or cultural affiliation model of disability? - Answer it
can exclude those who don't fit within the group's expectations
What is the charity or tragedy model of disability? - Answer Regards those with disabilities as
unfortunate and in need of assistance, and those who give charity are seen as benevolent
What are the strengths of the charity or tragedy model of disability? - Answer it inspires people to
contribute their time and/or resources
What are the weaknesses of the charity or tragedy model of disability? - Answer it is condescending,
and those with disabilities may come to resent being an object of pity; it often focuses on short term
needs and not long term solutions
Disabilities, Challenges and
Assistive Technologies Questions
and Answers.
What is the medical model of disability? - Answer Views disability as a biological impairment caused
by a medically-diagnosed genetic disorder, disease, trauma, or other health condition; tries to solve
disability with a medical treatment or cure
What model of disability does the legal definition often rely on? - Answer the medical model
What are the strengths of the medical model of disability? - Answer it explicitly acknowledges that
there is a biological condition that can place an individual at a disadvantage; if a person has a
medical diagnosis, it could give them access to services.
What are the weaknesses of the medical model of disability? - Answer it treats disability as a
problem or inherent characteristic of the person; it ignores the broader socio-political constraints
and issues with the environment; there is a danger that the definitions might be too narrow and too
exclusive for some people with disabilities.
What is the social model of disability? - Answer direct response to the medical model, it frames
disability as a problem with society, which contains environmental, social, and organizational
barriers to those with disabilities.
What are the strengths of the social model of disability? - Answer The focus on issues in the
environment and society makes it clear that barriers aren't inevitable; it looks at how society can
improve
What are the weaknesses of the social model of disability? - Answer it can de-emphasize the physical
reality of a disability too much
What is the bio psychosocial model of disability? - Answer it recognizes that disability is a complex
and multi-faceted concept and includes the biological, individual, and social aspects of disability.
What is the economic model of disability? - Answer Views disabilities from the perspective of the
economic impact of the disability on individuals, employers, the state, and welfare programs.
, What are the strengths of the economic model of disability? - Answer it recognizes the effect of
bodily limitations on a person's ability to work, and that there may be a need for economic support
and/or accommodations
What are the weaknesses of the economic model of disability? - Answer It creates a legally defined
category of people who are needy, which is stigmatizing; it requires people to meet a legal threshold
What is the functional solutions model of disability? - Answer Views disability as a problem to be
solved by inventing new solutions
What are the strengths of the functional solutions model of disability? - Answer Results-focused;
trying to provide solutions to challenges and come up with new, innovative ideas
What are the weaknesses of the functional solutions model of disability? - Answer Treats disability as
a problem to solve but the solution might not be practical or useful; often ignores socioeconomic
factors
What is the social identity or cultural affiliation model of disability? - Answer Refers to a sense of
driving personal identity from membership within a group (example: Deaf community)
What are the strengths of the social identity or cultural affiliation model of disability? - Answer Self-
acceptance and empowerment, can be a point of pride
What are the weaknesses of the social identity or cultural affiliation model of disability? - Answer it
can exclude those who don't fit within the group's expectations
What is the charity or tragedy model of disability? - Answer Regards those with disabilities as
unfortunate and in need of assistance, and those who give charity are seen as benevolent
What are the strengths of the charity or tragedy model of disability? - Answer it inspires people to
contribute their time and/or resources
What are the weaknesses of the charity or tragedy model of disability? - Answer it is condescending,
and those with disabilities may come to resent being an object of pity; it often focuses on short term
needs and not long term solutions
