Model Of Disability

Explain the social and medical model of disability and how each impacts on practice:

The social model of disability is where the society is what disables the person. Social model of disability requires society to remove all of the barriers in order that all people with disabilities and impairments have equal access to everything, it looks at the barriers created by society in terms of disabled people being able to access goods and services. It seeks to remove unnecessary barriers which are preventing disabled people participating in society, accessing work and living independently. It also identifies the attitudes towards disabilities which are creating unnecessary barriers to inclusion and requires people to take proactive action to remove

People who have disabilities or impairments are often left to be cared for by the professionals around them, this means all of their decisions affect disabled peoples everyday life routines such as school, what support they will get etc. The medical model focuses on a person’s impairment and how it causes the disabled person being unable to access goods and services or be able to participate in everyday life routines in society. An example of this would be, ‘he can’t read the newspaper because he’s blind’ this is then where people are being influenced by the medical model of disability. Equality Act 2010 in relation to disability discrimination, follow the medical model of disability as they focus on what a person is unable to do. This model of disability is more understanding of people who have disabilities in which it is equated with impairment. Disability is a physical condition, predictably reducing the individual’s life chances. In order to cure disabilities medically to improve functioning and make disabled persons more normal societies should invest to get the resources that are needed in order for them to feel equal and have access to goods and services. Medical model impacts on practice as children can suffer with low self-esteem and lack of confidence. Children who

Children who have disabilities can benefit from positive attitudes as they are given the 'can do ‘attitude throughout their care and supervision. This means they get the opportunity to make their own choices, develop to their potential, become more independent within themselves and play a part within society rather than rely on people from a day to day basis. Positive attitudes can give people who have disabilities or difficulties positivity about themselves which will then encourage them to get on with normal day to day activates etc. so that they feel like they fit in amongst other people around them and be accepted for why they are and the difficulties that they have. It is important that people have a positive attitude when providing the correct care for children and young people who have disabilities in order to meet their specific needs and to make sure they are able to have the opportunity to learn new skills, for example this can be by learning how to do sign language if they have or know people who may have a hearing impairment. It is important that we treat people who have disabilities as we would any other person we come in contact with so that they are treated equally and fairly. It will also teach the