Defining Disability Today

Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2009/01/15 - Updated: 2024/06/17
Publication Type: Informative
Topic: Glossary and Definitions - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Two models used for deriving the definition of disability are known as the medical model and the social model. Officially, there are many ways of defining what a disability is, although the two most commonly used models used for deriving the definitions are known as the 'medical model' and the 'social model'.

Introduction

How would you define or describe a disability today?

Officially, there are many ways of defining what a disability is, although the two most commonly used models used for deriving the definitions are known as the 'medical model' and the 'social model'(1).

Main Item

The Medical Model of Disability

The World Health Organization (WHO) created the medical model in the early 1980's and the definitions within were biased toward the convenience of medical personnel. The medical model breaks disability down into three key definition areas:

Impairment

Which means the loss or abnormality in structure or function.

Disability

Which refers to the inability to perform an activity within the normal range of a human being because of said impairment.

Handicap

The inability to carry out normal social roles because of an impairment/disability. This model and associated terms are not popular with groups out with the medical profession, especially with the disabled themselves, as these definitions give the impression that disability is allied to ill health and it is the medical profession that hold the answers to solving the problems connected to disability.

The Social Model of Disability

The social model is the preferred method of realizing the true effects of a disability or impairment.

The social model specifically looks at the way in which the lives of disabled people are affected by the barriers that society imposes. It is strongly believed that if social and environmental barriers were removed, there would be a more realistic possibility of disabled people living a more equal and normal life alongside non-disabled people. This would create a significant reduction in the true effects and hardships of coping with a disability.

The social model effectively emphasizes the social, economical and environmental restrictions rather than the physical or mental restrictions of the impairment. Unfortunately it is discriminatory attitudes and ignorance that continue to cause the real problems in the lives of people living with impairments.

Living With Disability

The causes of disabilities are many and varied, and affect people of all cultural and social backgrounds. Living and environmental conditions as well as financial circumstances will all affect how people are able to manage their disabilities. People with more money for instance, are able to pay for home adaptations, mobility products and additional care if it is required, whereas people on lower incomes are not able to do the same.

(1) - See: All The Models of Disability

Author Credentials: Ian was born and grew up in Australia. Since then, he has traveled and lived in numerous locations and currently resides in Montreal, Canada. Ian is the founder, a writer, and editor in chief for Disabled World. Ian believes in the Social Model of Disability, a belief developed by disabled people in the 1970s. The social model changes the focus away from people's impairments and towards removing barriers that disabled people face daily. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and achievements, check out his bio.