CPACC Models of Disability 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the biopsychosocial model of disability?
- A model focusing exclusively on biological causes
- An integrative model considering the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding disability (Correct answer)
- A model used only in psychiatric settings
- A model rejecting all medical understanding
Correct answer: An integrative model considering the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding disability
The biopsychosocial model integrates biological (health conditions), psychological (personal factors), and social (environmental barriers) dimensions.
Proposed by George Engel in 1977 and adopted by the WHO's ICF (2001). It recognizes disability results from the interaction of biological factors, psychological factors, and social/environmental factors. This bridges the medical and social models.
Question 2: How does the human rights model differ from the social model?
- They are identical models
- The human rights model explicitly frames disability as a human rights issue with legal protections, recognizing inherent dignity regardless of impairment (Correct answer)
- The human rights model focuses on medical treatment
- The human rights model only applies in CRPD signatory countries
Correct answer: The human rights model explicitly frames disability as a human rights issue with legal protections, recognizing inherent dignity regardless of impairment
The human rights model extends the social model by explicitly framing accessibility as a fundamental right and establishing legal obligations.
Strongly associated with the CRPD (2006), it grounds disability rights in international law, recognizes inherent dignity regardless of productivity, accommodates the lived experience of impairment, embraces intersectionality, and establishes state obligations for accessibility and accommodation.
Question 3: What is the economic model of disability?
- A model for calculating assistive technology costs
- A perspective defining disability primarily by its impact on economic productivity and labor market contribution (Correct answer)
- An economic theory about government disability spending
- A model determining benefits based on income level
Correct answer: A perspective defining disability primarily by its impact on economic productivity and labor market contribution
The economic model assesses disability through its impact on capacity for economic productivity and labor market participation.
This model drives many disability benefit systems, workers' compensation, and insurance assessments. Critics argue it reduces human worth to economic output, fails to account for environmental barriers, and perpetuates exclusion by defining people through their limitations.
Question 4: What is the 'functional limitations' model and how is it applied?
- A model focused on improving physical fitness
- A model identifying specific functional capabilities and limitations, used in rehabilitation, AT matching, and occupational assessment (Correct answer)
- A model that limits functions available to disabled people
- A model only used in sports
Correct answer: A model identifying specific functional capabilities and limitations, used in rehabilitation, AT matching, and occupational assessment
The functional limitations model focuses on what specific activities a person can and cannot perform, used practically in rehabilitation and accommodation.
Unlike the medical model (focused on diagnosis), this model focuses on what a person can and cannot do. Used in rehabilitation planning, AT matching, occupational therapy, workplace accommodation, and disability classification. Criticized for focusing on deficits rather than strengths.
Question 5: How does the identity model of disability view disability?
- As something to be hidden and overcome
- As a positive aspect of identity and a source of community, culture, pride, and shared experience (Correct answer)
- As an identity verified by medical professionals
- As an identity separating disabled people from society
Correct answer: As a positive aspect of identity and a source of community, culture, pride, and shared experience
The identity model views disability as a valued part of personal and group identity, connected to rich culture, community, and shared history.
Most clearly exemplified by Deaf culture (capital D), where deafness is a cultural and linguistic identity. The broader disability pride movement embraces this with events like Disability Pride Month (July), disability arts, and disabled-led organizations.
Question 6: What is the moral or religious model of disability?
- A model promoting religious accessibility
- A historical perspective viewing disability as divine punishment, moral failing, or spiritual test, leading to stigma (Correct answer)
- A model based on moral obligation to create accessible environments
- A modern ethical framework for disability policy
Correct answer: A historical perspective viewing disability as divine punishment, moral failing, or spiritual test, leading to stigma
This historical model attributed disability to divine punishment, sin, karma, or spiritual testing, leading to shame and exclusion.
While largely rejected in modern discourse, this model continues to influence attitudes in some communities. Its effects include shame, resistance to AT, charitable rather than rights-based responses, and internalized stigma. Understanding it is important because its legacy persists.
CPACC Models of Disability 2
What is the biopsychosocial model of disability?