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The
Social Model of Disability
(Thanks
to the Southampton Centre for Independent Living)
Introduction
More
and more disabled people are talking about the social model
of disability. For many, understanding it has changed their
lives, however, it is still widely misunderstood. This page
aims to explain the social model of disability in a way that
is easy to understand.
This
page acts as an introduction to these concepts. They are usually
explored in more detail on disability equality training courses
(available from Disability West Midlands 0121 414 1616). These
courses enable disabled people to relate the principles of
the model to their own life.
A
Different Way of Looking at Ourselves
The
social model of disability enabled disabled people to look
at themselves in a more positive way, which increases their
self-esteem and independence.
Disabled
people often feel a loss, for all the things they would like
to do, but cannot; a loss of goals and dreams that seem unobtainable.
Disabled people often feel they are a burden on their family
and friends, and a problem for doctors who cannot cure them.
This
traditional view of disability is called the ‘Medical
Model of Disability’ because it sees people as medical
problems. As a result disabled people are expected to see their
impairment as their problem, something they will have to make
the best of and accept that there are many things they cannot
do.
The
social model of disability starts from a different perspective.
It ignores how ‘bad’ a person’s impairment
is. Instead it establishes that everyone is equal and demonstrates
that it is society, which erects barriers that prevent disabled
people participating, and restricts their opportunities.
How does the
Social Model of Disability Work?
The
social model looks beyond a person’s impairment at
all the relevant factors that affect their ability to be
a full and equal participant in society.
What
else is relevant?
Heavy
doors and inaccessible public transport are just two examples
of what makes travelling such a hassle – not the
fact that someone is disabled. Every disabled person can
make their own list of the barriers that limit their participation.
When these barriers and other people’s negative attitudes
are considered, it is easy to see how disabled people’s
opportunities are limited by a multitude of barriers.
The
social model of disability states that the solution is to rid
society of these barriers, rather than relying on curing all
the people who have impairments. (In many cases this is not
possible or desirable).
For
example, people with poor eyesight are given a simple piece
of equipment – a pair of glasses. Without them they would
be excluded from full participation in society and would therefore
be disabled.
Similarly,
the social model solution to the fact that a wheelchair user
is disabled because they cannot use public transport, is simple
make all public transport accessible to everyone.
Examples of
how society could change to allow disabled people to participate
equally:
| Medical
Model Problem |
Social
Model Solution |
| Painful
hands, unable to open jars, doors |
Better-designed
lids, automatic doors. |
| Difficulties
in standing for long periods |
More
seats in public places |
| Unable
to climb steps into buildings |
Ramps
and lifts in all buildings |
| Other
people won’t give you a job because they think you
couldn’t do it. |
Educate
people to look at disabled people’s abilities rather
than looking for problems. |
The
social model approach to disability that sees the problem as
society’s barriers, rather than the person’s condition,
allows disabled people to lift the blame from their shoulders
and place it squarely on society’s. The social model
of disability empowers disabled people to challenge society
to remove those barriers.
The Medical
Model Says:
- You
are a sufferer
- You
are the problem
- Your
disability needs curing
- You
cannot make decisions about your life
- You
need professionals to look after you
- You
can never be equal to a non-disabled person
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