MODELS OF DISABILITIES
P2
Models of Disability are tools for defining impairment and, ultimately, for providing a
basis upon which government and society can devise strategies for meeting the
needs of disabled people. So the models of disabilities are essentially devised by
people about other people. They provide an insight into the attitudes, conceptions
and prejudices of the former and how they impact on the latter. From this, Models
reveal the ways in which our society provides or limits access to work, goods,
services, economic influence and political power for people with disabilities (Mymdrc,
2015).
MEDICAL MODEL
The medical model of disability says people are disabled by their impairments or
differences. Under the medical model, these impairments or differences should be
'fixed' or changed by medical and other treatments, even when the impairment or
difference does not cause pain or illness. The medical model looks at what is wrong
with the person, not what the person needs. Under the model, the problems that are
associated with disability are deemed to reside within the individual. In other words, if
the individual is "cured" then these problems will not exist. So the individual with a
disability is in the sick role under the medical model. So when an individual is sick,
that individual may excused themselves from going to school, getting a job or doing
other things. For example, if a wheelchair using student is unable to get into a
building because of some steps, the medical model would suggest that this is
because of the wheelchair, rather than the steps. There are some advantages and
disadvantages of the medical model. The advantage is that an individual who is
disabled can work with the professionals to find cure for the disability. Also the
individual could be given options, for example if an individual needs a lung
transplant, the individual can either choose to have a new lung transplant or not. The
disadvantages of the model are that individual that has it get marginalised or
discriminated against. Also there could be barriers that may affect them (Mymdrc,
2015).
P2
Models of Disability are tools for defining impairment and, ultimately, for providing a
basis upon which government and society can devise strategies for meeting the
needs of disabled people. So the models of disabilities are essentially devised by
people about other people. They provide an insight into the attitudes, conceptions
and prejudices of the former and how they impact on the latter. From this, Models
reveal the ways in which our society provides or limits access to work, goods,
services, economic influence and political power for people with disabilities (Mymdrc,
2015).
MEDICAL MODEL
The medical model of disability says people are disabled by their impairments or
differences. Under the medical model, these impairments or differences should be
'fixed' or changed by medical and other treatments, even when the impairment or
difference does not cause pain or illness. The medical model looks at what is wrong
with the person, not what the person needs. Under the model, the problems that are
associated with disability are deemed to reside within the individual. In other words, if
the individual is "cured" then these problems will not exist. So the individual with a
disability is in the sick role under the medical model. So when an individual is sick,
that individual may excused themselves from going to school, getting a job or doing
other things. For example, if a wheelchair using student is unable to get into a
building because of some steps, the medical model would suggest that this is
because of the wheelchair, rather than the steps. There are some advantages and
disadvantages of the medical model. The advantage is that an individual who is
disabled can work with the professionals to find cure for the disability. Also the
individual could be given options, for example if an individual needs a lung
transplant, the individual can either choose to have a new lung transplant or not. The
disadvantages of the model are that individual that has it get marginalised or
discriminated against. Also there could be barriers that may affect them (Mymdrc,
2015).
