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About how many people have a disability? -
ANSWER
One in five people, or about 20 percent
What is the medical theoretical model of disability? -
ANSWER
Viewing disability in terms of biological impairments; a problem caused by genetic disor-
ders, disease, trauma or other health conditions. Disability is treated as a biological problem
that diminishes quality of life and needs to be treated with professional medical care
What are the strengths of the medical theoretical model of disability? (2) -
ANSWER
1. Acknowledges that there is a biological condition placing individuals with disabilities at a
disadvantage
2. Creates a set of clearly-defined biological criteria for medical treatment and government
assistance
What are the weaknesses of the medical theoretical model of disability? (4) -
ANSWER
1. Overlooks the impact of the social environment on a person with a disability
2. Makes disability a characteristic, labeling the person as different from the rest of the pop-
ulation
3. Excludes those with disabilities who do not fit into the defined criteria, meaning they
might not be able to receive the care and benefits they need
1
,4. Makes people have to prove their disability in order to receive the necessary care and
benefits
What is the social theoretical model of disability? -
ANSWER
Viewing disability as an avoidable condition caused by poor design in society. Acknowledges
there is a medical or biological component, while stressing more inclusive designs could re-
move barriers for people with disabilities.
What are the strengths of the social theoretical model of disability? (2) -
ANSWER
1. Empowers individuals with disabilities by removing the stigma; assumes society will cre-
ate an inclusive environment, not that people with disabilities need to accept a lower quality
of life
2. Empowers designers of physical and virtual environments to think about usability for eve-
ryone, resulting in better designs overall
What are the weaknesses of the social theoretical model of disability? (1) -
ANSWER
1. Ignores the physical reality of having a disability; accepting and owning one's disability
can be healthy, both emotionally and psychologically
What is the functional solutions theoretical model of disability? -
ANSWER
Viewing disability as a series of impairments or limitations and the solutions to eradicate or
reduce these limitations through technology or methodology
What are the strengths of the functional solutions theoretical model of disability? (1) -
ANSWER
2
, 1. Focuses on ideas, technologies, and innovations which benefit people with disabilities
and improve their lives
What are the weaknesses of the functional solutions theoretical model of disability? (1) -
ANSWER
1. Misses opportunities to address larger social context which might make a solution obso-
lete because it focuses too much on creating practical technological solutions
What is the social identity or cultural affiliation theoretical model of disability? -
ANSWER
Viewing disability as a personal identity through communicating with others who share sim-
ilar life experiences based on their disability; can be particularly strong among people are
deaf and use sign language
What are the strengths of the social identity or cultural affiliation theoretical model of disa-
bility? (2) -
ANSWER
1. Accepts the disability as an important part of one's emotional and psychological well-be-
ing
2. Gains political strength through alliances and advocacy networks
What are the weaknesses of the social identity or cultural affiliation theoretical model of dis-
ability? (2) -
ANSWER
1. Does not serve as a useful basis for technical definitions of disability because groups of
people with different disabilities or no disabilities might consider themselves part of the
same social group
2. May be a result of feeling excluded from the rest of society
What is the charity theoretical model of disability? -
3
About how many people have a disability? -
ANSWER
One in five people, or about 20 percent
What is the medical theoretical model of disability? -
ANSWER
Viewing disability in terms of biological impairments; a problem caused by genetic disor-
ders, disease, trauma or other health conditions. Disability is treated as a biological problem
that diminishes quality of life and needs to be treated with professional medical care
What are the strengths of the medical theoretical model of disability? (2) -
ANSWER
1. Acknowledges that there is a biological condition placing individuals with disabilities at a
disadvantage
2. Creates a set of clearly-defined biological criteria for medical treatment and government
assistance
What are the weaknesses of the medical theoretical model of disability? (4) -
ANSWER
1. Overlooks the impact of the social environment on a person with a disability
2. Makes disability a characteristic, labeling the person as different from the rest of the pop-
ulation
3. Excludes those with disabilities who do not fit into the defined criteria, meaning they
might not be able to receive the care and benefits they need
1
,4. Makes people have to prove their disability in order to receive the necessary care and
benefits
What is the social theoretical model of disability? -
ANSWER
Viewing disability as an avoidable condition caused by poor design in society. Acknowledges
there is a medical or biological component, while stressing more inclusive designs could re-
move barriers for people with disabilities.
What are the strengths of the social theoretical model of disability? (2) -
ANSWER
1. Empowers individuals with disabilities by removing the stigma; assumes society will cre-
ate an inclusive environment, not that people with disabilities need to accept a lower quality
of life
2. Empowers designers of physical and virtual environments to think about usability for eve-
ryone, resulting in better designs overall
What are the weaknesses of the social theoretical model of disability? (1) -
ANSWER
1. Ignores the physical reality of having a disability; accepting and owning one's disability
can be healthy, both emotionally and psychologically
What is the functional solutions theoretical model of disability? -
ANSWER
Viewing disability as a series of impairments or limitations and the solutions to eradicate or
reduce these limitations through technology or methodology
What are the strengths of the functional solutions theoretical model of disability? (1) -
ANSWER
2
, 1. Focuses on ideas, technologies, and innovations which benefit people with disabilities
and improve their lives
What are the weaknesses of the functional solutions theoretical model of disability? (1) -
ANSWER
1. Misses opportunities to address larger social context which might make a solution obso-
lete because it focuses too much on creating practical technological solutions
What is the social identity or cultural affiliation theoretical model of disability? -
ANSWER
Viewing disability as a personal identity through communicating with others who share sim-
ilar life experiences based on their disability; can be particularly strong among people are
deaf and use sign language
What are the strengths of the social identity or cultural affiliation theoretical model of disa-
bility? (2) -
ANSWER
1. Accepts the disability as an important part of one's emotional and psychological well-be-
ing
2. Gains political strength through alliances and advocacy networks
What are the weaknesses of the social identity or cultural affiliation theoretical model of dis-
ability? (2) -
ANSWER
1. Does not serve as a useful basis for technical definitions of disability because groups of
people with different disabilities or no disabilities might consider themselves part of the
same social group
2. May be a result of feeling excluded from the rest of society
What is the charity theoretical model of disability? -
3
