It could be said that in modern industrial society, Disability is still widely regarded as tragic individual failing, in which its “victims” require care, sympathy and medical diagnosis. Whilst medical science has served to improve and enhance the quality of life for many it could be argued that it has also led to further segregation and separation of many individuals. This could be caused by its insistence on labelling one as “sick”, “abnormal” or “mental”. Consequently, what this act of labelling and diagnosing has done, is enforce the societal view that a disability is an abnormality that requires treatment and that any of its “victims” should do what is required to be able to function in society as an able bodied individual. The social model of disability argues against this and instead holds the view that it is society, not the individual that needs to change and do what is required, so that everyone can function in society. As this statement from the Green Party Manifesto claims that “Disability is a social phenomenon” and “While many individuals have physical or sensory impairments or learning difficulties or are living with mental health problems, it is the way society responds to these which creates disability” (2010). The aim of this paper is to consider the strength of this view. With the help of modern and contemporary sociological theory surrounding disability and health it will look at both the medical and social models of disability with the aim to conclude whether disability is a problem that needs to be addressed by medical professionals alone or by society as a whole. The medical model defines disability as “any restriction or lack of ability (resulting from an impairment of an individual) to perform an activi... ... middle of paper ... ...) Ideas about Illness: An Intellectual and Political History of Medical Sociology. Macmillan: Basingstoke Goffman, E (1963) Stigma: Notes on the management of spoiled identity. Routledge: New York ONS (2011) The Office for National Statistics: 2011 Census - Population and Household Estimates for England and Wales, March 2011 http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171778_270487.pdf [Accessed 28/01/14] Scotch, R (1989) From Good Will to Civil Rights: Transforming federal disability policy. Temple University Press: Philadelphia Shakespeare, T (2006) Disability: Rights and Wrongs. Routledge: NewYork Shakespeare, T (2013) “The Social Model of Disability” in The Disabilty Studies Reader Ed Davis, L D. Routledge: New York WHO (1981) World Health organisation: Models of Disability. http://www.sdsscotland.org.uk/fileuploads/Models%20of%20Disability.pdf [accessed 29/01/14]
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
Baynton, Douglas. "Disability and Justification of Inequality in American History." The New Disability History. New York: New York University Press, 2001. 285-294. Print.
Junius Wilson’s entire life was plagued with injustices under the rule of marginalizing societal assumptions of the time. Certainly, many disability myths were perpetuated in this time of societal reproach
The relationship between disability and biomedical model is very complex; to understand the concept one needs to understand the biomedical model and the definition of disability. disability is a term that describes a person’s inability to perform daily activities. Biomedical model states that a disability is caused by a disease, disorder, mental or physical condition that deprives a person of the basic necessity of life. Furthermore, the medical model views a disabled person as functionally limited as it defines the norms for human functioning. From these two definitions, it can be concluded that both disability and the medical model are interlinked in ways of how a person’s inability to function have an impact in the interaction of society.
The social model requires society to change the way it is structured rather then blaming the individual. In contrast, the individual model makes the costumer feel at fault hence lowers his confidence, but the social model insures the costumer that it was not his fault but rather those who built the doors without thinking about the disabled minorities (Oliver, 1990). The individual model fails to distinguish the difference between impairment and illness and it assumes all bodies with disabilities are in need of medical treatment (Oliver, 1990). Although the social model does distinguish the difference it often dismisses the individual and medical approaches and thus it can be interpreted as rejecting the medical prevention (Shakespeare,
It looks at ways of eliminating obstacles that limit life choices for the disabled. When obstacles are removed, the disabled can be independent and equal within societal norms, while being in control of their own lives. The disabled developed the social model of disability because the traditional medical model did not explain their personal experience of disability or help to develop more inclusive ways of living. An impairment as mentioned in class discussion is defined as: “long-term limitation of a person’s physical, mental or sensory function.” A fundamental aspect of the social model concerns equality. The social model of disability focuses on changes required in society. These terms as discussed during class discussion involve attitudes, for example non-disabled forming more positive attitudes toward certain mental traits or behaviors, or not underestimating the potential quality of life of those with impairments. Information, for example using suitable formats (ex. braille) or levels (ex. simplicity of language) or coverage (ex. explaining issues others may take for granted). Public Buildings, such as buildings with elevators and ramp access to make their business more readily
In terms of legal perspective, a shift in disability public policy occurred with the passage
Shakespeare, T. (1993) Disabled people's self-organisation: a new social movement?, Disability, Handicap & Society, 8, pp. 249-264 .
The term disability is used to describe individuals who have a condition that impedes them from completing everyday tasks. These conditions can manifest as either physical or mental impairments. Not all disabled people are born with this condition; there are those who acquire the condition in the course of their life. Currently, some of the rights groups have taken up the acronym TAB, drolly to describe people with disabilities. It stands for “temporary able-bodied”. At one point of life, almost everyone will experience either temporary or permanent impairment. The chances of this happening increases with old age as the functioning of the body starts to deteriorate.
The most interesting topic discussed in chapter seven is the sections concerning the medical and social models of disability. I find the difference of the focus of the two models very interesting because one leads to a very different perspective of disability than the other. I find myself aligning more with the thought that both models have to exist in order for the full understanding of disability to come into view. In other words, I do not completely agree nor disagree with either model. To explain, as the medical model is based off of the ideology of normality, which suggests that being in a normal state of good health is the standard for which to base off any deviance or sickness, a definition of normal is required. A definition of good
The World Health Organisation, WHO, (1980) defines disability in the medical model as a physical or mental impairment that restricts participation in an activity that a ‘normal’ human being would partake, due to a lack of ability to perform the task . Michigan Disability Rights Coalition (n.d.) states that the medical model emphasizes that there is a problem regarding the abilities of the individual. They argue that the condition of the disabled persons is solely ‘medical’ and as a result the focus is to cure and provide treatment to disabled people (Michigan Disability Rights Coalition, 2014). In the medical model, issues of disability are dealt with according to defined government structures and policies and are seen as a separate issue from ordinary communal concerns (Emmet, 2005: 69). According to Enabling Teachers and Trainers to Improve the Accessibility of Adult Education (2008) people with disabilities largely disa...
The Medical Model is one of the approaches used to understand people with disabilities, and is ‘concerned with the origin, degree, type of loss and the onset’ of a certain disability (Munoz-Baell &Ruiz, 2000; 54:40-44). This approach views a disability as something no human being wants and should be avoided at all costs if possible (Models-Deafness, 2005). The Medical Model aims to treat people with disabilities, but before treatment can take place they need to study the disabilities and conduct experiments. In some cases the tests and investigations conducted violate the subject’s (disabled person/people being studied) fundamental human rights (Chenoweth, 1995; 36). As stated in the Integrated National Disability Strategy (INDS) : Models of Disability (1997) the Medical Model is made up of establishments that cater to people with disabilities in terms of ‘providing treatment or alternatives’ to their impairment. Although they have good intentions (to assist the disabled) this models interventions result in disabled people being dependent on these institutions and the government.
In the essay “Disability,” Nancy Mairs discusses the lack of media attention for the disabled, writing: “To depict disabled people in the ordinary activities of life is to admit that there is something ordinary about disability itself, that it may enter anyone’s life.” An ordinary person has very little exposure to the disabled, and therefore can only draw conclusions from what is seen in the media. As soon as people can picture the disabled as regular people with a debilitating condition, they can begin to respect them and see to their needs without it seeming like an afterthought or a burden. As Mairs wrote: “The fact is that ours is the only minority you can join involuntarily, without warning, at any time.” Looking at the issue from this angle, it is easy to see that many disabled people were ordinary people prior to some sort of accident. Mairs develops this po...
Oliver, M. and Barnes, C. (1998) “Disabled people and society policy: From exclusion to inclusion”, London: Longman.
French, S. & Swain, J. 2008. Understanding Disability: A Guide for Health Professionals. Philadelphia: Churchilll Livingstone Elsevier: 4