EDS4802 ASSESSMENT 3 2026
DUE 30 AUGUST 2026
Question 1: Definition of Concepts
1.1 Disability
According to the World Health Organization (2011) in the World Report on Disability,
disability is a complicated idea that changes over time. The International Classification
of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) says disability is a broad term for problems in
body function, difficulties doing activities, and problems taking part in life situations. It
comes from the interaction between a person with a health condition and barriers in
their environment (World Health Organization, 2001).
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) (United Nations,
2006) explains that disability happens when people with impairments face bad attitudes
and environmental barriers that stop them from fully taking part in society on an equal
basis with others. This means disability is not just about a person's body, but also about
how society treats them.
1.2 Social Model of Disability
The social model of disability says that society disables people, not their bodies. As
explained in the study guide (EDS4802 Tutorial Letter 501/3/2022), the social model
looks at how barriers in society like bad attitudes, inaccessible buildings, and unfair
policies create disability. The study guide notes that inclusive education supports
diversity and difference instead of trying to change people.
According to the World Report on Disability (World Health Organization, 2011), the
social model helped move away from seeing disability as just a medical problem.
,Instead, it sees that people are disabled by society rather than by their bodies. This
model is important for understanding how to remove barriers and make things
accessible for everyone.
1.3 Reasonable Accommodation
Reasonable accommodation means making necessary changes and adjustments that
do not cause too much difficulty or cost to help persons with disabilities enjoy their rights
equally with others (United Nations, 2006). The study guide (EDS4802 Tutorial Letter
501/3/2022) explains that in education, reasonable accommodation includes changing
the school environment by removing physical barriers, changing work schedules, and
providing support like sign language interpreters and assistive technology.
According to the World Report on Disability (World Health Organization, 2011),
reasonable accommodation is important for making sure persons with disabilities can
participate fully in education, work, and community life.
1.4 School-Based Support Team (SBST)
A School-Based Support Team (SBST) is a group of educators at a school who help
support learners with disabilities. According to the study guide (EDS4802 Tutorial Letter
501/3/2022), the team usually includes the learner, class teacher, classroom assistant,
Learning Support Teacher, and a member of the school management team.
The Department of Education (2008) explains that SBSTs help identify learners who
face barriers to learning, work with parents, and provide support. They also create
individual support plans for learners who need extra help. These teams are an important
part of making inclusive education work in South African schools.
1.5 Inaccessibility of Services
Inaccessibility of services means barriers that stop persons with disabilities from
accessing goods, services, and facilities on an equal basis with others. According to the
, study guide (EDS4802 Tutorial Letter 501/3/2022), these barriers can be physical (like
stairs and narrow doorways), communication barriers (information not in accessible
formats), attitudinal barriers (discrimination and negative stereotypes), and systemic
barriers (policies that do not include everyone).
The study guide also mentions that Article 9 of the CRPD commits all states to provide
conditions that create access for persons with disabilities in many areas including
buildings, roads, transportation, schools, medical services, and workplaces.
Question 2: Critical Evaluation of the Medical Model with Reference to the
Promotion of Accessibility in the South African Context
2.1 Understanding the Medical Model
The medical model of disability says that disability is a personal tragedy and sees
persons with disabilities as medically unwell. According to the World Report on
Disability (World Health Organization, 2011), the medical model focuses on impairment
and ignores the social and environmental factors that create barriers. It treats disability
as a condition that must be fixed, trying to change the person rather than changing the
environment.
The study guide (EDS4802 Tutorial Letter 501/3/2022) explains that in the medical
model, disability is seen as a problem of the person. The person is expected to adjust to
existing conditions, rather than the conditions being changed to include everyone.
DUE 30 AUGUST 2026
Question 1: Definition of Concepts
1.1 Disability
According to the World Health Organization (2011) in the World Report on Disability,
disability is a complicated idea that changes over time. The International Classification
of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) says disability is a broad term for problems in
body function, difficulties doing activities, and problems taking part in life situations. It
comes from the interaction between a person with a health condition and barriers in
their environment (World Health Organization, 2001).
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) (United Nations,
2006) explains that disability happens when people with impairments face bad attitudes
and environmental barriers that stop them from fully taking part in society on an equal
basis with others. This means disability is not just about a person's body, but also about
how society treats them.
1.2 Social Model of Disability
The social model of disability says that society disables people, not their bodies. As
explained in the study guide (EDS4802 Tutorial Letter 501/3/2022), the social model
looks at how barriers in society like bad attitudes, inaccessible buildings, and unfair
policies create disability. The study guide notes that inclusive education supports
diversity and difference instead of trying to change people.
According to the World Report on Disability (World Health Organization, 2011), the
social model helped move away from seeing disability as just a medical problem.
,Instead, it sees that people are disabled by society rather than by their bodies. This
model is important for understanding how to remove barriers and make things
accessible for everyone.
1.3 Reasonable Accommodation
Reasonable accommodation means making necessary changes and adjustments that
do not cause too much difficulty or cost to help persons with disabilities enjoy their rights
equally with others (United Nations, 2006). The study guide (EDS4802 Tutorial Letter
501/3/2022) explains that in education, reasonable accommodation includes changing
the school environment by removing physical barriers, changing work schedules, and
providing support like sign language interpreters and assistive technology.
According to the World Report on Disability (World Health Organization, 2011),
reasonable accommodation is important for making sure persons with disabilities can
participate fully in education, work, and community life.
1.4 School-Based Support Team (SBST)
A School-Based Support Team (SBST) is a group of educators at a school who help
support learners with disabilities. According to the study guide (EDS4802 Tutorial Letter
501/3/2022), the team usually includes the learner, class teacher, classroom assistant,
Learning Support Teacher, and a member of the school management team.
The Department of Education (2008) explains that SBSTs help identify learners who
face barriers to learning, work with parents, and provide support. They also create
individual support plans for learners who need extra help. These teams are an important
part of making inclusive education work in South African schools.
1.5 Inaccessibility of Services
Inaccessibility of services means barriers that stop persons with disabilities from
accessing goods, services, and facilities on an equal basis with others. According to the
, study guide (EDS4802 Tutorial Letter 501/3/2022), these barriers can be physical (like
stairs and narrow doorways), communication barriers (information not in accessible
formats), attitudinal barriers (discrimination and negative stereotypes), and systemic
barriers (policies that do not include everyone).
The study guide also mentions that Article 9 of the CRPD commits all states to provide
conditions that create access for persons with disabilities in many areas including
buildings, roads, transportation, schools, medical services, and workplaces.
Question 2: Critical Evaluation of the Medical Model with Reference to the
Promotion of Accessibility in the South African Context
2.1 Understanding the Medical Model
The medical model of disability says that disability is a personal tragedy and sees
persons with disabilities as medically unwell. According to the World Report on
Disability (World Health Organization, 2011), the medical model focuses on impairment
and ignores the social and environmental factors that create barriers. It treats disability
as a condition that must be fixed, trying to change the person rather than changing the
environment.
The study guide (EDS4802 Tutorial Letter 501/3/2022) explains that in the medical
model, disability is seen as a problem of the person. The person is expected to adjust to
existing conditions, rather than the conditions being changed to include everyone.
