Models of Disability Flashcards

A public library is built with a large staircase as the only means of entry. A person who uses a wheelchair cannot enter. Which model of disability places the responsibility for this barrier on the library's design?

Answer: The Social Model

The Social Model of disability posits that disability is caused by the way society is organized, rather than by a person's impairment or difference. It identifies barriers in the physical, attitudinal, communication, and social environment as the real problem. In this scenario, the inaccessible design of the library (the stairs) is the barrier that disables the individual.

Which of the following statements BEST represents the Medical Model of disability?

Answer: Disability is a personal problem, caused by disease or trauma, that requires medical care to 'fix' the individual.

The Medical Model views disability as a problem of the person, directly caused by a health condition, which requires medical care in the form of treatment by professionals. The focus is on curing or managing the illness or impairment to make the person 'normal'.

A city is developing a new public transportation system. To align with a Biopsychosocial Model of disability, what approach should the city planners take?

Answer: Integrate accessible features into the main system while also offering rehabilitation services and mental health support for commuters who experience anxiety.

The Biopsychosocial Model integrates aspects of the medical and social models. It acknowledges the biological/medical condition, the psychological impact (e.g., thoughts, emotions), and the social factors (e.g., environmental barriers). An approach that combines accessible design (social), with support for individuals' health and well-being (bio/psycho) is the most holistic and aligns with this model.

An accessibility consultant is hired to help a tech company develop a new screen reader. The consultant's primary focus is on the technology's features, efficiency, and its ability to overcome the functional limitations of being blind. This approach is most closely aligned with which model of disability?

Answer: Functional Solutions Model

The Functional Solutions Model focuses on practical ways to overcome limitations caused by an impairment, often through technology or innovative methods. The goal is to reduce the impact of the functional limitation. The consultant's focus on the screen reader as a practical tool to solve a problem is a clear example of this model.

What is a primary weakness of the Medical Model of disability?

Answer: It overlooks the impact of inaccessible environments and societal attitudes, placing the burden of adaptation on the individual.

A major criticism of the Medical Model is that it treats disability as an individual deficit to be cured or managed, often ignoring the significant role that societal barriers, negative attitudes, and inaccessible designs play in disabling people.

The concept of 'Deaf culture' and the view that deafness is a unique identity and a source of community pride, rather than a deficit to be corrected, is most representative of which model of disability?

Answer: The Social Identity or Cultural Affiliation Model

The Social Identity or Cultural Affiliation Model views disability as a core part of a person's identity and a point of connection to a larger community with a shared culture. The Deaf community is a prime example, where deafness is seen as a cultural trait with its own language (sign language) and traditions, not as an impairment to be fixed.