Exploring Models of Disability

Understanding perspectives and Approaches

TEAM MEMBERS
Tirtha Sarkar Adrika Das
Namrata Das Sthiti Bhadra
Satavisha ghosh Amrita Chowdhury
 C NTENTS ~
 Introduction
 Historical perspective of disability
 Medical model of disability
 Social Model of disability
 Bio-psychosocial model of disability
 Disability rights are Human rights
 Charity model of disability
 Economic model of disability
 Moral model of disability
 Empowerment model of disability
 Cultural model of disability
 Importance of individual experiences on model of
disability
 Conclusion
INTRODUCTION
A disability is a condition that affects a person's everyday life and capacity to
participate in society by making it difficult for them to do everyday activities
due to physical, cognitive, or sensory impairments. It is a multifaceted and
intricate idea that is impacted by both personal traits and external
circumstances.

Key models of Disability:

 Medical Model
 Social Model
 Biopsychosocial Model
 Human Rights Model
 Charity Model
 Economic Model
 Moral Model
 Empowerment Model
 Cultural Models
HISTORICAL
PERPECTIVE
Ancient Civilizations: Disability was seen as divine
punishment. PwD were often marginalized and excluded
from society and were seen as inferior and dangerous
and were often abandoned and left to die. For example,
in Greek Mythology, blindness was seen as a curse from
gods.

Middle Ages: Disability was often seen as a test of faith

and PwD were revered as saints or holy figures (mostly
due to superstition about occult powers of PwD ) . They
were also given jobs based on their disabilities. For
example, people with Dwarfism were appointed as
jesters in courts.
 Historical Perspectives of Disability:

Renaissance: Scientific development and rational thinking led to studies of these

disabilities and technologies such as eyeglasses and hearing aids were developed. But
despite the advancements, the stigma against PwD was there.

Enlightenment: The Idea of “social contract” emerged which talked about the inherited
rights of every individual. This gave birth to the modern concept of disability rights and
led to the foundation of institutions and organizations for the support and empowerment of
PwD.

Industrial Revolution: New technologies and innovation during the Industrial Revolution
led to the development of employment opportunities for PwD. Urban development led to
the formation of new organizations and institutions for their support. Being poorly
managed, these institutions led to widespread neglect and abuse of PwD.
 Medical model of Disability

 Primarily centers on the individual, considering disability as a

Characteristics
personal health issue or impairment requiring medical attention.
 Emphasizes the diagnostic process, categorizing disabilities based
on medical assessments to identify specific impairments for
targeted treatment.
 Views disabilities as pathological conditions or deviations from the
norm, with a focus on curing or mitigating the effects of the
impairment.
 Involves a reliance on healthcare professionals for diagnosis,
treatment, and rehabilitation, positioning the individual with a
disability as a patient seeking medical expertise.
 Centers interventions on rehabilitation and managing the disability,
to improve the individual's functioning or adapt them to societal
norms.
Criticism: The medical paradigm has come under fire for pathologizing disabilities and failing to
acknowledge the environmental and social constraints that keep disabled individuals from
participating in society.
SOCIAL MODEL
EL
OF DISABILITY
According to the social model of disability, a person's disability is a socially manufactured
issue that results from their interactions with their surroundings. According to this paradigm, a
person's handicap results from the social and physical hurdles and impediments that prohibit
them from fully participating in society and being included. It is not an innate quality of the
individual.
Social model-based disability films are more likely to feature a cast of impaired characters that
ally with one another, grow, and learn on their own, independent of an able-bodied lead. More
realistically, disabled characters are portrayed in other films as members of loving families who
are not "burdened" by their condition, as activists working to reform legislation, or in a society
that discriminates against them.
 Social Model of Disability:
1. Shifts the focus from the individual to society, emphasizing
that disability is a result of barriers and prejudices present in
the environment rather than an inherent personal deficiency.
2. Advocates for inclusivity and equal opportunities, promoting
a society where people with disabilities can participate on an
equal basis with others, without discrimination.
3. Encourages the empowerment of individuals with disabilities,
recognizing their rights, capabilities, and potential
contributions to society.
4. Calls for broader societal change to create environments that
are universally accessible, accepting of diversity, and
supportive of the diverse needs of individuals with
disabilities.
Criticism: One criticism of the social model of disability is that
it may downplay the importance of individual impairments
and medical conditions in understanding the full experience
of disability.​
Bio-psycho-social Model of Disability:

According to
the biopsychosocial model of For example, the biopsychosocial model
considers chronic pain not only as a result of
disability, social,
physical injury (biological), but also factors
psychological, and biological
in psychological elements like stress and
factors interact in emotional well-being, as well as social
a complicated way to cause aspects such as family dynamics and societal
disability. support. This holistic approach recognizes the
interconnectedness of biological,
psychological, and social factors in
This concept influencing health outcomes.
views disability as a In order to enhance the quality of life for
combination of social those with disabilities, the biopsychosocial
and medical issues model highlights the importance of
rather than just one addressing the biological, psychological, and
or the other. social elements of impairment.
 Bio-psycho-social Model of Disability
• Encompasses biological, psychological, and social factors, acknowledging the interplay among these
dimensions in understanding health and illness.
• Focuses on the individual's unique
• Considers the influence of genetics, experiences and emphasizes the
individual behaviors, emotions, and importance of
social environments on overall well- tailoring interventions to address
being, fostering a comprehensive specific biological, psychological,
understanding of health conditions.​ and social factors affecting health.​

• Emphasizes the importance of • Promotes collaboration among

preventive measures by addressing healthcare professionals from
not only biological risk factors various disciplines, recognizing
but also psychological and social that a complete understanding of
determinants that contribute to the health requires insights from
development and progression of medical, psychological, and
health conditions. social perspectives.

Criticism: The biopsychosocial model, its broad scope and inclusivity can sometimes lack specificity, making
it challenging to provide clear and targeted interventions for certain health conditions.
According to the disability rights approach, disability is a matter of human rights. This
approach states that everyone has the same human rights and freedoms, including those who
have disabilities. The disability rights paradigm places a strong emphasis on the need to
end discrimination and advance persons with disabilities' equal access to opportunities, rights,
and services.

It acknowledges that disability is a normal aspect of human variation and that it should be
recognised and supported in all of its forms. This is based on fundamental human rights
concepts. Individuals with disabilities has equal rights with the general public, and their
condition "must not be used as an excuse to deny or restrict people's rights."
Disability Rights Model Characteristics:
1. Centers on the belief that individuals with disabilities possess inherent human
rights and should be treated with dignity, equality, and without discrimination.
2. Emphasizes the importance of legal mechanisms and advocacy to secure and
protect the rights of people with disabilities, promoting equal access to
education, employment, and public services.
3. Advocates for the development and implementation of inclusive policies and
practices that dismantle barriers, ensuring the full participation and integration of
individuals with disabilities into all aspects of society.
4. Prioritizes the autonomy and empowerment of individuals with disabilities,
fostering self-determination and the ability to make choices that impact their
lives.
5. Encourages broader societal change by challenging stereotypes, promoting
awareness, and fostering a cultural shift towards acceptance and inclusion,
ultimately contributing to a more equitable and accessible world for people with
disabilities.
Criticism​
One criticism of the disability rights model is that its legal emphasis may
not adequately address the complex and multifaceted barriers individuals with
disabilities face, requiring broader societal and cultural changes for true inclusivity.​
Charity Model of Disability:
•The charity model of disability views
individuals with disabilities as recipients of
pity and benevolence, relying on charitable
acts rather than promoting systemic changes
to address societal barriers and provide
equal opportunities.
Characteristics:
1.Sees individuals with disabilities as charity
recipients, emphasizing sympathy over
empowerment.
2.Highlights reliance on charitable acts rather
than addressing systemic barriers for people with
disabilities.
Criticism: The charity model of disability is
criticized for perpetuating dependence on pity
and charitable acts, neglecting systemic changes
needed for true inclusivity.
•Economic Model of Disability:
•The economic model of disability examines
disability's impact on economic factors like labor
market participation, productivity, and resource
allocation, addressing issues like employment
discrimination, accessibility, and disability
accommodations costs.
•Characteristics:
1.The economics model of disability stresses the
influence of economic incentives on the actions of
people with disabilities.
2. It uses cost-benefit analysis to measure the
economic effects of disability and assess the value
of disability-related policies.
•Criticism: Oversimplifies disability by reducing it
primarily to economic productivity and cost
analysis, neglecting broader social and
personal dimensions.
 Moral Model of Disability
The moral model of disability posits that disability is a result of individual moral failing or divine
punishment, placing blame on the person with a disability rather than on societal
structures or barriers.
Characteristics:
• The moral model blames disability on individual moral failings or divine punishment,
overlooking social factors.
• It results in social exclusion and stigma, as individuals with disabilities are perceived as morally
deficient, leading to discrimination.
Criticism: It perpetuates stigma, discrimination, and victim-blaming by attributing disability to
individual moral failings rather than acknowledging systemic barriers and social constructs.

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND.

Empowerment Model of Disability
The empowerment model prioritizes the rights and self-determination of people
with disabilities, enabling them to participate in society, make choices, and
advocate for their rights.
Characteristics:
The empowerment model urges individuals with disabilities to advocate for
themselves and engage in decisions about their lives and policies.
It emphasizes independence and autonomy, enabling individuals with disabilities
to make choices and pursue their goals freely.
Criticism: It may overlook systemic barriers and disparities, placing undue
responsibility on individuals with disabilities to overcome societal obstacles.
 Cultural Model
The cultural model sees disability as shaped by cultural norms
and perceptions, highlighting diversity within the disability
community and questioning medical views.
Characteristics:
• This model acknowledges diverse experiences and identities
within the disability community, shaped by cultural and
historical contexts.
• It questions medical perspectives, highlighting societal
attitudes and barriers that marginalize individuals
with disabilities.
Criticism: It risks overlooking the individual medical needs
and challenges faced by people with disabilities, potentially
diminishing the importance of medical
interventions and support.
Importance of individual
Experiences on Models of Disabilty
1. Individual experiences highlight the varied ways people
navigate disability, revealing unique challenges, strengths,
and coping mechanisms that may not be captured by
generalized models.
2. Personal stories add depth to models by emphasizing the
importance of considering the environmental, cultural, and
societal factors that impact an individual's experience of
disability.
3. Real-life narratives contribute to the development of more
effective and inclusive policies, ensuring that the needs and
rights of individuals with disabilities are accurately addressed.
4. Personal experiences challenge stereotypes and
misconceptions surrounding disability, fostering a more
accurate and empathetic public perception and reducing
stigma.
5. Sharing personal stories empowers individuals with
disabilities to advocate for themselves, fostering a sense of
community and influencing broader societal attitudes towards
inclusivity and accessibility.
 Conclusion
The diverse models of disability offer
valuable perspectives, from the individual-
focused medical model to the societal barriers
highlighted by the social model. Integrating
elements of human rights, empowerment,
and cultural considerations, we recognize
disability as a complex interplay of personal
experiences and societal structures.
Embracing inclusivity and dismantling
barriers are essential for fostering a world
where everyone can thrive, regardless of
ability.
THANK
YOU!