How does the ‘social model of disability’ differ from a ‘medical perspective’?

The two most frequently mentioned ‘models’ of disability are defined as the ‘social’ and the ‘medical’ models of disability.
The medical model of disability views disability as a ‘problem’ that belongs to the disabled individual. It is not seen as an issue to concern anyone other than the individual affected, For example, if a student who requires a wheelchair needed access to a build that only access was by steps, the medical model would suggest that the problem lies with the wheelchair and its user, rather than the steps. (Cameron 2014)

The social model of disability would see the presence of the steps as the disabling barrier. This model draws on the idea that it is society that disables people, by designing objects to meet the needs of the majority rather than considering all of its citizens. The social model recognises that society does not do enough to reduce and ultimately remove, various disabling barriers; furthermore this should be the responsibility of ‘society’, rather than the disabled person (UPIAS, 1976:14).
The medical model approach is based on an ideology that the difficulties associated with the disability should be endured entirely by the disabled person, and that the individual should make extra effort to ensure that they do not inconvenience anyone else irrespective of the amount of time and/or money it yields.

An example of an approach taken by the medical model could be a member of staff that refuses to make available a copy of a PowerPoint presentation before a lecture.
This creates a barrier to learning for the dyslexic students in the group who are likely to have a slower processing and writing speed and who will struggle to understand and record the key points.
The social model, by design, is more...

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• Swain, J. French, S. and Cameron, C. (2003) Controversial Issues in a Disabling Society. Buckingham: Open University Press
• Union of the Physically Impaired Against Segregation (1976) Fundamental Principles of Disability. London: UPIAS
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