There is no universally accepted definition of disability, and there are different conceptual models that generate competing policy conclusions. This paper summarises the main models and identifies the theoretical advantages of the ‘Human Rights Model’, which appears to be the most appropriate in a developing country context. In practice, however, it is not without its problems, and these will be examined by considering the implication of applying a human rights-based approach to inclusive education in Uganda. The Utility of Models of Disability: The importance of getting the model right: policy implications A disability model provides a conceptual framework that supports our perception and understanding of disability, impairment and society (Wasserman, Asch, Blustein, and Putnam and Gordon, Finkelstein, Pinder). Three models of disability are examined below: the medical model, the social model, and the Human Rights Model of Disability (HRMD). The influence of the ‘capability approach’ on the HRMD will also be examined. Understanding the relative strengths and weaknesses of these disability models and the capability approach is important because each model has implications in policy design, implementation and practice that affect disabled people (Trani and Bakhshi, Wasserman, Asch, Blustein, and Putnam). For example, the various conceptual frameworks underlying the identification of what disability entails, and how it is measured, has implications for the estimation of prevalence of disability, whether and to what extent it needs addressing through policy, and the validity of various forms of disability research. It is argued that the HRMD, which is a synthesis of other models presented, provides the most complete, coheren... ... middle of paper ... ...del as ‘a sacred cow’. Other critics, (Reindal, Palmer and Hartley, Bury) discuss the reality of disability as being a complex consequence of interactions between health conditions and both the physical and social environment. Bury suggests that the model has not yet fully engaged with everyday issues facing disabled people, nor has it produced a practical approach to meet these needs. Additionally, the model can ignore impairment, argued by Palmer and Hartley as being central to the experience of disability. Shakespeare, in his paper on Debating Disability, expounds that ‘disability is always an interaction between individual factors—predominantly impairment, aspirations and motivations - and contextual factors—environments, policies, barriers and so forth.’ Applying an understanding of social context should not mean that the personal experience is irrelevant.
Shakespeare, T. (1993) Disabled people's self-organisation: a new social movement?, Disability, Handicap & Society, 8, pp. 249-264 .
With Lisa I.Iezzoni’s reading, it showcases how disability is a without a doubt attached to discrimination of disability by separation of identity, people. It adheres to the moral reflection that people need to garner which emphasizes “cultural perspectives on health and illness, social justice, and the moral dimensions of patient encounters.” (Jones, Wear, Friedman, 2014) In turn, health and illness as depicted in a narrative can uncover the truth and contentions of a phenomenon through repeated phrase, metaphor and perspective as with the case of “Stand
Culture and disability takes at its starting points the assertion that disability is culturally created and stands as a reflection of a society’s meaning of the phenomenon it created. This includes the fact that disability is a cultural reality that is both time and place dependent: what disability means is different from one social group to another and different from one historical period to another. (p. 526)
Disability is a ‘complex issue’ (Alperstein, M., Atkins, S., Bately, K., Coetzee, D., Duncan, M., Ferguson, G., Geiger, M. Hewett, G., et al.., 2009: 239) which affects a large percentage of the world’s population. Due to it being complex, one can say that disability depends on one’s perspective (Alperstein et al., 2009: 239). In this essay, I will draw on Dylan Alcott’s disability and use his story to further explain the four models of disability being The Traditional Model, The Medical Model, The Social Model and The Integrated Model of Disability. Through this, I will reflect on my thoughts and feelings in response to Dylan’s story as well as to draw on this task and my new found knowledge of disability in aiding me to become
The medical model of disability describes fixing and curing impairments as ways that will closer align the individual with normality (Milton, 2004). By placing individual blame on the stigma and stereotype so often associated with straying from the norm, a medical model of disability in society can continue the cycle of ableism though hegemonic normalcy. The standards of normalcy in relation to disability culture are often related to a medical intervention that brings the individuals impairment closer to a societal ideal. The label of normal is determined by a dominant privileged group. The dominant privileged group often spreads the standard of normality through representation in the medical field, media, and
Thomas and Smith (2009), examine definitions of disability, they put definitions of disability into two board categories: medical or social. The medical definitions are also called personal tragedy category definitions. The medical definitions of disability domi¬nated understanding about disability for most of the twentieth century, particularly in Western countries. It suggests that disability is an impairment that is owned by an individual and which results in a loss or limitation of function or some other 'defect '. In 1980, the definitions of impairment, handicap and disability ware introduced by World Health Organization (WHO), which came to be widely used to apply much social and welfare policy and professional practice.
"Disability the facts." New Internationalist Nov. 2013: 20+. Advanced Placement Government and Social Studies Collection. Web. 27 May 2014.
I chose to write a review on Withers, A. J. (2012) Disability Politics and Theory, to discuss different model of disability in detail independently and in conjunction with other form of oppressions: gender, race, class, sexuality, ethnicity and etc. A.J. Withers, in Disability Politics and Theory, provides an extensive description and interpretation of disability by comparing past and contemporary ideologies around disability. Withers focuses mainly on six models: the eugenic, the medical, the charity, the social, and the rights models within Western societies to explore not only the assumptions and perceptions of oppressive discourses around disabilities, but also how people with disabilities have been resisting those oppressive norms or ideologies.
This essay sets out to explain how and why disability has been constructed as a medical problem; additionally, the way in which the medical model has influenced policies and practices for disabled people will be evidenced. According to Brisenden (1986) the term ‘disabled’ is used collectively to describe individuals who do not function the same as people who are classified as 'normal’. However, the Equality Act 2010 defines disability as having a ‘physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities’ (Gov.uk, 2015). Using a range of sources, this essay will succinctly highlight issues surrounding disability during the early twentieth century, before giving a definition
The medical model defines disability as “any restriction or lack of ability (resulting from an impairment of an individual) to perform an activi...
Disability is any continuing condition that limits everyday activities. The Disability Services Act (1993) defines ‘disability’ as a disability which is attributable to an intellectual, psychiatric, cognitive, neurological, sensory or physical impairment or a combination of those impairments. It may be permanent or likely to be permanent, which result in substantially reduce...
This essay will provide a comparative analysis of two different theoretical approaches to disability. These approaches include the medical model of disability and the social model of disability. Disability is a socially constructed concept that can be viewed from either a medical or social perspective. These models will be further discussed by comparing the deficits and merits of each model and how these models are interpreted. To understand these models further, various theories will be applied to uncover cultural understandings of ‘disability’. Social policies around ‘disability’ will also be explored using the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) as a policy framework and how these frameworks create implications within practice.
According to the World Health Organisation (2011), there are more than 1 billion people with disabilities in the world, with this number rising. Many of these people will be excluded from the regular situations we, ‘the ordinary’, experience in everyday life. One of these experiences is our right to education. Article 42 of the Irish Constitution states that the state shall provide for free primary education until the age of 18, but is this the right to the right education? Why should being born with a disability, something which is completely out of your control, automatically limit your chances of success and cut you off from the rest of society due to being deemed ‘weaker’ by people who have probably never met you? With approximately 15% of the world’s population having disabilities, how come society is unable to fully accept people with disabilities? In order to break this notion, we must begin with inclusion.
French, S. & Swain, J. 2008. Understanding Disability: A Guide for Health Professionals. Philadelphia: Churchilll Livingstone Elsevier: 4
...eglected social issues in recent history (Barlow). People with disabilities often face societal barriers and disability evokes negative perceptions and discrimination in society. As a result of the stigma associated with disability, persons with disabilities are generally excluded from education, employment, and community life which deprives them of opportunities essential to their social development, health and well-being (Stefan). It is such barriers and discrimination that actually set people apart from society, in many cases making them a burden to the community. The ideas and concepts of equality and full participation for persons with disabilities have been developed very far on paper, but not in reality (Wallace). The government can make numerous laws against discrimination, but this does not change the way that people with disabilities are judged in society.