Module: SOC2604
ASSIGNMENT 2: ESSAY
Topic 1:
Declaration:
I, ___________________ declare that the information in this assignment is my own
work, any work that is quoted directly or indirectly from a book or website will be cited
through in-text referencing and the reference list.
In this essay I will be discussing the similarities and differences of the four models of
disability and impairment as well as explain the implications of these models by
referring to the deaf community.
The four model types of disability and impairment is; The Medical Model, The Tragedy
Model, The Social Model and then The Affirmative Model. The model through which
the deaf person is viewed can impact how they are treated as well as their own self-
perception. Let’s begin with discussing The Medical Model; in this model is an
individual problem, for e.g. disability to walk or hear, this type of disability is understood
as an impairment of individual which requires care and if possible a cure. In the
Medical Model; Deafness is an illness and disability. It can be treated by medication
or surgery, or managed by training from the medical professional, deafness is viewed
undesirable, and it is to the advantage of the individual as well as society as a whole
to "cure" this condition. Medical and para-medical professions have provided
interventions to which certain disabled people find essential to improve their situations.
(French & Swain 2008b: 130-131)
There are however resistances and criticisms of this model of disability, Shakespeare
(2009:1815) says that the medical model is sometimes necessary but it requires more
training to better ones understanding of the disabilities. French and Swain (2008b:
131-132) highlighted one of the most bizarre views that some medical professionals
have of disability, and that is that disabled children should be prevented from being
1
, born in the first place. To witness the horror to the extent where medical professionals
will go to prevent disability and not help them cure the problem, which I find oppressive
and abusive. People with disabilities often see the medical professions as part of the
problems they experience. How does this apply to the deaf community? Funny
enough, but they need to be in an environment in which they can function efficiently
without the need to hear certain things. Being fully deaf cannot be cured, but having
hearing impairments can give a person hope to cure the disability, just to find the
medical professional that is willing to help.
I have read the following and I quote; “Because of the prestige of “scientific medicine,”
the medical model has dominated professional, media, and lay views until quite
recently and, to a large extent, still does. Thus, in this model, deafness is seen as a
condition that needs to be “cured” for the benefit of the individual and society: “The
(deaf community's) perception is that there's nothing wrong … Our perception is, there
is something that needs to be fixed” (Koch, 2001).”
The Social Model; in recent years, views of disability have divided into two categories:
the so-called medical disability and sociocultural models, meaning they stand hand in
hand together, in this model deafness is not an illness or impairment but a difference.
Deaf people are only disabled by barriers created by other people. Deaf people have
their own language and are a linguistic and cultural minority. Deaf people can live
normal lives with access through visual information, technology and interpreters. This
model seeks to explain difficulties experienced by deaf individuals that are due to their
environment. There is a decrease in importance of deaf social clubs, due to deaf
people being more confident in identity. When you communicate with a deaf person,
whether by sign language or writing down, not seeing them being deaf as a problem
or disability, really boosts their confidence, helping them being more social and not
thinking too much about them being deaf and unable to communicate properly.
Establishing a strong deaf identity is part of the first wave of identity formation and the
deaf school and deaf social club are both instrumental in this regard. This model has
a profound impact on academics, politics, and law since the 1970’s. Scholars have
debated this model and its limitations are more severe than they have thought. (What
Good Is the Social Model of Disability? Adam M. Samaha, The University of Chicago
Law Review Vol. 74, No. 4 (Fall, 2007), pp. 1251-1308)
2
ASSIGNMENT 2: ESSAY
Topic 1:
Declaration:
I, ___________________ declare that the information in this assignment is my own
work, any work that is quoted directly or indirectly from a book or website will be cited
through in-text referencing and the reference list.
In this essay I will be discussing the similarities and differences of the four models of
disability and impairment as well as explain the implications of these models by
referring to the deaf community.
The four model types of disability and impairment is; The Medical Model, The Tragedy
Model, The Social Model and then The Affirmative Model. The model through which
the deaf person is viewed can impact how they are treated as well as their own self-
perception. Let’s begin with discussing The Medical Model; in this model is an
individual problem, for e.g. disability to walk or hear, this type of disability is understood
as an impairment of individual which requires care and if possible a cure. In the
Medical Model; Deafness is an illness and disability. It can be treated by medication
or surgery, or managed by training from the medical professional, deafness is viewed
undesirable, and it is to the advantage of the individual as well as society as a whole
to "cure" this condition. Medical and para-medical professions have provided
interventions to which certain disabled people find essential to improve their situations.
(French & Swain 2008b: 130-131)
There are however resistances and criticisms of this model of disability, Shakespeare
(2009:1815) says that the medical model is sometimes necessary but it requires more
training to better ones understanding of the disabilities. French and Swain (2008b:
131-132) highlighted one of the most bizarre views that some medical professionals
have of disability, and that is that disabled children should be prevented from being
1
, born in the first place. To witness the horror to the extent where medical professionals
will go to prevent disability and not help them cure the problem, which I find oppressive
and abusive. People with disabilities often see the medical professions as part of the
problems they experience. How does this apply to the deaf community? Funny
enough, but they need to be in an environment in which they can function efficiently
without the need to hear certain things. Being fully deaf cannot be cured, but having
hearing impairments can give a person hope to cure the disability, just to find the
medical professional that is willing to help.
I have read the following and I quote; “Because of the prestige of “scientific medicine,”
the medical model has dominated professional, media, and lay views until quite
recently and, to a large extent, still does. Thus, in this model, deafness is seen as a
condition that needs to be “cured” for the benefit of the individual and society: “The
(deaf community's) perception is that there's nothing wrong … Our perception is, there
is something that needs to be fixed” (Koch, 2001).”
The Social Model; in recent years, views of disability have divided into two categories:
the so-called medical disability and sociocultural models, meaning they stand hand in
hand together, in this model deafness is not an illness or impairment but a difference.
Deaf people are only disabled by barriers created by other people. Deaf people have
their own language and are a linguistic and cultural minority. Deaf people can live
normal lives with access through visual information, technology and interpreters. This
model seeks to explain difficulties experienced by deaf individuals that are due to their
environment. There is a decrease in importance of deaf social clubs, due to deaf
people being more confident in identity. When you communicate with a deaf person,
whether by sign language or writing down, not seeing them being deaf as a problem
or disability, really boosts their confidence, helping them being more social and not
thinking too much about them being deaf and unable to communicate properly.
Establishing a strong deaf identity is part of the first wave of identity formation and the
deaf school and deaf social club are both instrumental in this regard. This model has
a profound impact on academics, politics, and law since the 1970’s. Scholars have
debated this model and its limitations are more severe than they have thought. (What
Good Is the Social Model of Disability? Adam M. Samaha, The University of Chicago
Law Review Vol. 74, No. 4 (Fall, 2007), pp. 1251-1308)
2
