The Social Model of Disability

One of the key factors surrounding the social model of disability is the distinction made between a person’s impairment and their disability.

Impairment means the effect upon a person in terms of their limbs, organs or mechanisms; this may also include the psychological effect upon an individual.
Disability is used to refer to the restrictions created and caused by society when it does not acknowledge, or make adjustments, to accommodate the needs of individuals with impairments
The Social Model of Disability should be used as a starting point for how society views disability, and used to continue the work towards equality.

Social Model of Disability

The person has the impairment, but society causes the disability
Seeing the person first and the impairment second
Support to live independently is built around the person’s needs and preferences
Support to make informed and individual choices. To remain in control
Positive view of self. An automatic assumption of inclusion in social or work activity
Society organises itself in such a way that causes barriers to people with impairments
The social model requires society to adjust to the impaired person’s needs, therefore removing the factors that disable the person

Historically, the Medical Model of Disability is used, and it is this model that is challenged by Suffolk Coalition of Disabled People.

The person’s impairment is the problem, and so they are disabled
They are defined by their disability
They are dependent. Choices are limited
Often internalised negative view of self. Automatically prevented from taking part in social or work activities
Their options are subject to the approval of the professionals involved (the ‘helping expert’)
There is a view that it is the disabled person who must adapt, or be excluded, by the way in which society is constructed and organised

Suffolk Coalition of Disabled People does not agree with the Medical Model of Disability. Instead, we follow the Social Model of Disability.