, EDS4802
ASSIGNMENT 2 2026
DUE 9 JULY 2026
QUESTION 1: Definition of Terms
A. Define the following terms:
a) Accessibility
Accessibility is the practice of ensuring that products, environments, programmes, and services can
be used by all people, including those with disabilities, to the greatest extent possible without the
need for adaptation. It is a key concept in removing barriers and ensuring full participation in all
areas of life, as mandated by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (EDS4802,
501.2025:7). It encompasses not just physical access but also access to information,
communication, and opportunities in areas like education, employment, and transportation.
b) Medical Model of Disability
The Medical Model of Disability is a traditional framework that views a person's disability as a
problem or deficit that resides within the individual and needs to be "fixed" or "cured" by medical
professionals. It focuses on the person's limitations and attempts to change or rehabilitate them to
fit into existing societal conditions. In contrast, inclusive education advocates for changing
conditions to accommodate the diverse needs of all individuals (EDS4802, 501.2025:9).
c) Stigmatisation
Stigmatisation is the process by which a person or group is negatively labelled, stereotyped, and
discriminated against based on a perceived characteristic, such as a disability. This can lead to
social exclusion, prejudice, and a loss of social status. It is a barrier that hinders the full inclusion of
people with disabilities in society.
d) Social Inclusion
Social inclusion refers to the process of ensuring that all individuals, including those with disabilities,
have the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of community life. This involves eliminating
barriers to access and participation, and ensuring that everyone is valued and respected (EDS4802,
501.2025:7). It is the opposite of social exclusion, which is often a result of inaccessibility and
stigmatisation.
e) Assistive Devices
Assistive devices, also known as assistive technology (AT), are any item, piece of equipment, or
system—whether acquired commercially, modified, or customised—that is used to increase,
maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities (EDS4802,
501.2025:5). These tools help compensate for an individual's specific challenges, enabling them to
participate more actively and independently in daily life, education, and employment.
, QUESTION 2: Theoretical Models of Disability
2.1 Medical Model of Disability
The Medical Model of disability conceptualises disability as a personal tragedy, a pathology, or a
deficit that resides within the individual (EDS4802, 501.2025:9). It views disability primarily as a
medical problem that requires diagnosis, treatment, cure, or rehabilitation by medical
professionals. This model assumes that the impairment is the primary problem and that the
individual must be "fixed" or adjusted to fit into existing societal structures.
Assumptions:
Disability is an individual problem caused by disease, trauma, or genetic defect.
The person with a disability is passive and dependent on medical expertise.
The goal is to cure, rehabilitate, or manage the impairment to help the person function as
"normally" as possible.
Societal structures are assumed to be adequate; the problem lies within the individual.
Strengths:
It has led to significant medical advancements and treatments that improve health outcomes.
It provides a clear framework for diagnosis and intervention by qualified professionals.
It has contributed to the development of rehabilitation services and therapies.
Limitations:
It places the "blame" on the individual, ignoring environmental and social barriers.
It promotes dependency and disempowerment, as decisions are made by professionals rather
than the individual.
It reinforces stigmatisation by labelling people as "defective" or "abnormal."
It fails to recognise that many barriers to participation are created by society, not the
impairment itself.
Influence on Understanding, Support, Inclusion, and Participation:
Under the Medical Model, persons with disabilities are understood primarily as patients in need of
care. Support is focused on medical treatment and rehabilitation, often in segregated settings.
Inclusion and participation are limited because the model does not challenge societal barriers. As
the study guide notes, in the medical model, exhaustive efforts were made to change people so
that they would adjust to existing conditions, whereas inclusive education acknowledges and
embraces diversity (EDS4802, 501.2025:9). This model tends to perpetuate exclusion by
maintaining the status quo rather than advocating for systemic change.
2.2 Social Model of Disability
The Social Model of disability emerged as a powerful critique of the Medical Model. It draws a clear
distinction between impairment (a physical, sensory, or intellectual limitation) and disability (the
social disadvantage or restriction of activity caused by societal barriers) (EDS4802, 501.2025:9).
This model argues that people are disabled by society's failure to accommodate diversity, not by
their impairments.
ASSIGNMENT 2 2026
DUE 9 JULY 2026
QUESTION 1: Definition of Terms
A. Define the following terms:
a) Accessibility
Accessibility is the practice of ensuring that products, environments, programmes, and services can
be used by all people, including those with disabilities, to the greatest extent possible without the
need for adaptation. It is a key concept in removing barriers and ensuring full participation in all
areas of life, as mandated by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (EDS4802,
501.2025:7). It encompasses not just physical access but also access to information,
communication, and opportunities in areas like education, employment, and transportation.
b) Medical Model of Disability
The Medical Model of Disability is a traditional framework that views a person's disability as a
problem or deficit that resides within the individual and needs to be "fixed" or "cured" by medical
professionals. It focuses on the person's limitations and attempts to change or rehabilitate them to
fit into existing societal conditions. In contrast, inclusive education advocates for changing
conditions to accommodate the diverse needs of all individuals (EDS4802, 501.2025:9).
c) Stigmatisation
Stigmatisation is the process by which a person or group is negatively labelled, stereotyped, and
discriminated against based on a perceived characteristic, such as a disability. This can lead to
social exclusion, prejudice, and a loss of social status. It is a barrier that hinders the full inclusion of
people with disabilities in society.
d) Social Inclusion
Social inclusion refers to the process of ensuring that all individuals, including those with disabilities,
have the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of community life. This involves eliminating
barriers to access and participation, and ensuring that everyone is valued and respected (EDS4802,
501.2025:7). It is the opposite of social exclusion, which is often a result of inaccessibility and
stigmatisation.
e) Assistive Devices
Assistive devices, also known as assistive technology (AT), are any item, piece of equipment, or
system—whether acquired commercially, modified, or customised—that is used to increase,
maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities (EDS4802,
501.2025:5). These tools help compensate for an individual's specific challenges, enabling them to
participate more actively and independently in daily life, education, and employment.
, QUESTION 2: Theoretical Models of Disability
2.1 Medical Model of Disability
The Medical Model of disability conceptualises disability as a personal tragedy, a pathology, or a
deficit that resides within the individual (EDS4802, 501.2025:9). It views disability primarily as a
medical problem that requires diagnosis, treatment, cure, or rehabilitation by medical
professionals. This model assumes that the impairment is the primary problem and that the
individual must be "fixed" or adjusted to fit into existing societal structures.
Assumptions:
Disability is an individual problem caused by disease, trauma, or genetic defect.
The person with a disability is passive and dependent on medical expertise.
The goal is to cure, rehabilitate, or manage the impairment to help the person function as
"normally" as possible.
Societal structures are assumed to be adequate; the problem lies within the individual.
Strengths:
It has led to significant medical advancements and treatments that improve health outcomes.
It provides a clear framework for diagnosis and intervention by qualified professionals.
It has contributed to the development of rehabilitation services and therapies.
Limitations:
It places the "blame" on the individual, ignoring environmental and social barriers.
It promotes dependency and disempowerment, as decisions are made by professionals rather
than the individual.
It reinforces stigmatisation by labelling people as "defective" or "abnormal."
It fails to recognise that many barriers to participation are created by society, not the
impairment itself.
Influence on Understanding, Support, Inclusion, and Participation:
Under the Medical Model, persons with disabilities are understood primarily as patients in need of
care. Support is focused on medical treatment and rehabilitation, often in segregated settings.
Inclusion and participation are limited because the model does not challenge societal barriers. As
the study guide notes, in the medical model, exhaustive efforts were made to change people so
that they would adjust to existing conditions, whereas inclusive education acknowledges and
embraces diversity (EDS4802, 501.2025:9). This model tends to perpetuate exclusion by
maintaining the status quo rather than advocating for systemic change.
2.2 Social Model of Disability
The Social Model of disability emerged as a powerful critique of the Medical Model. It draws a clear
distinction between impairment (a physical, sensory, or intellectual limitation) and disability (the
social disadvantage or restriction of activity caused by societal barriers) (EDS4802, 501.2025:9).
This model argues that people are disabled by society's failure to accommodate diversity, not by
their impairments.
