Medical Model of Disability

The medical model of disability states that people are disabled based on their differences or impairments and focuses on people's deficits rather than their needs.

Reference: Social Model vs Medical Model of Disability. (2020). Retrieved January 14, 2020, from http://www.disabilitynottinghamshire.org.uk/about/social-model-vs-medical-model-of-disability/.

Social Model of Disability

The social model of disability suggests that society's attitudes and structures make a person disabled. This model states that individual problems, known as impairments, become disabilities when society treats them as abnormal.

Reference: Social Model of Disability. (2020). Retrieved January 14, 2020, from https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/learning-disabilities/a-to-z/s/social-model-disability.

Social Model Animation Video

Watch this video that demonstrates the social model of disability (1:26):

Social Model Animation Screenshot

Social Model Animation Video

Reference: Social Model Animation. (2011). Retrieved January 14, 2020, from https://youtu.be/9s3NZaLhcc4.

Social Model Animation Transcript

Social Model of Disability Video and Quiz

Watch this video about the social model of disability and the Disability Arts Movement from Shape Arts and NDACA (2:44):

Credit: With thanks to Shape Arts and NDACA. For more information, please contact info@shapearts.org.uk.

Social Model of Disability Transcript

Thought Questions

Think about the questions below based on the information you have gathered throughout this page.

Recall a time when you have experienced or witnessed the medical model of disability in action. How this interaction would have been different if handled/viewed through the social model of disability instead?
Which model do you believe is more prevalent where you live? Why do you think this is the case?

Estimated Time: 30 minutes

References:
Social Model vs Medical Model of Disability. (2020). Retrieved January 14, 2020, from http://www.disabilitynottinghamshire.org.uk/about/social-model-vs-medical-model-of-disability/.
Social model of Disability. (2020). Retrieved January 14, 2020, from https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/learning-disabilities/a-to-z/s/social-model-disability.
Social Model Animation. (2011). Retrieved January 14, 2020, from https://youtu.be/9s3NZaLhcc4.
Social Model of Disability. ShapeArts and NDACA, 28 Nov. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=24KE__OCKMw.
Ellis, K., & Kent, M. (n.d.). CurtinX:NET2xDisability and Digital Media: Accessibility, Representation and Inclusion. Publishers: Curtin University & EdX. Retrieved February 24, 2020, from https://courses.edx.org/courses/course-v1:CurtinX NET2x 3T2018/course/

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