[Date]
SOC2604 Assignment
2 Semester 2 2024 -
DUE 27 September
2024
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE ANSWERS
, SOC2604 Assignment 2 Semester 2 2024 - DUE 27 September 2024
Write a critical essay on the different theoretical models applied to people with disabilities
and relate how the deaf community can be regarded as an example of a marginalized
identity.
Critical Essay: Theoretical Models Applied to People with Disabilities and the
Marginalization of the Deaf Community
Introduction
The experiences of people with disabilities are shaped by various theoretical models that
influence societal perceptions, policies, and practices. These models—ranging from the
medical model to the social model—define disability in diverse ways, with profound
implications for inclusion, empowerment, and marginalization. Among the many groups
affected by these frameworks, the Deaf community is often viewed through a unique lens,
as its members form a distinct cultural and linguistic minority. This essay explores the
different theoretical models applied to people with disabilities and critically examines how
the Deaf community can be regarded as a marginalized identity within these paradigms.
The Medical Model of Disability
The medical model of disability is one of the earliest and most influential frameworks. It
views disability as a defect or deficiency located within the individual. This model focuses
on diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, aiming to “fix” the disability so that the person
can function according to societal norms.
• Implications: While this model has advanced medical interventions and care, it
often results in the stigmatization of people with disabilities. They are seen primarily
as patients needing to be cured rather than as individuals with rights and
capabilities.
• Criticism: The medical model overlooks the role of social barriers and fails to
recognize that the environment, not the disability itself, often creates challenges for
people with disabilities. In the case of the Deaf community, this model typically
frames deafness as a medical condition to be treated through cochlear implants or
hearing aids, ignoring the cultural and linguistic identity many Deaf individuals hold.
The Social Model of Disability
The social model of disability, developed as a response to the limitations of the medical
model, shifts the focus from the individual to society. It argues that disability arises from
SOC2604 Assignment
2 Semester 2 2024 -
DUE 27 September
2024
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE ANSWERS
, SOC2604 Assignment 2 Semester 2 2024 - DUE 27 September 2024
Write a critical essay on the different theoretical models applied to people with disabilities
and relate how the deaf community can be regarded as an example of a marginalized
identity.
Critical Essay: Theoretical Models Applied to People with Disabilities and the
Marginalization of the Deaf Community
Introduction
The experiences of people with disabilities are shaped by various theoretical models that
influence societal perceptions, policies, and practices. These models—ranging from the
medical model to the social model—define disability in diverse ways, with profound
implications for inclusion, empowerment, and marginalization. Among the many groups
affected by these frameworks, the Deaf community is often viewed through a unique lens,
as its members form a distinct cultural and linguistic minority. This essay explores the
different theoretical models applied to people with disabilities and critically examines how
the Deaf community can be regarded as a marginalized identity within these paradigms.
The Medical Model of Disability
The medical model of disability is one of the earliest and most influential frameworks. It
views disability as a defect or deficiency located within the individual. This model focuses
on diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, aiming to “fix” the disability so that the person
can function according to societal norms.
• Implications: While this model has advanced medical interventions and care, it
often results in the stigmatization of people with disabilities. They are seen primarily
as patients needing to be cured rather than as individuals with rights and
capabilities.
• Criticism: The medical model overlooks the role of social barriers and fails to
recognize that the environment, not the disability itself, often creates challenges for
people with disabilities. In the case of the Deaf community, this model typically
frames deafness as a medical condition to be treated through cochlear implants or
hearing aids, ignoring the cultural and linguistic identity many Deaf individuals hold.
The Social Model of Disability
The social model of disability, developed as a response to the limitations of the medical
model, shifts the focus from the individual to society. It argues that disability arises from
