Medical and Social Models of Disability Explained

Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 15 Jan 2009 - Updated: 13 Sep 2026
Publication Type: Informative

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This article outlines the two major frameworks used today to define disability: the medical model, which focuses on individual impairments and functional limitations as conditions needing medical intervention, and the social model, which shifts attention to social and environmental barriers that restrict full participation. Drawing on definitions from WHO and lived experience, it emphasizes how society - through inaccessible infrastructure, attitudes, and policy - often creates disability more than the impairment itself. This perspective is especially useful for people with disabilities, seniors, caregivers, and policymakers, as it clarifies that meaningful inclusion involves addressing societal barriers just as much as medical concerns..

At a Glance

• 1 - The World Health Organization created the medical model in the early 1980s. The definitions within it were shaped around the convenience of medical personnel.
• 2 - The medical model breaks disability into three terms: impairment, disability, and handicap. Each term links the condition to individual health rather than to society.
• 3 - The social model is the preferred way of understanding the true effects of an impairment. It argues that removing social and environmental barriers gives disabled people a fairer, more equal life.
• 4 - Income level strongly shapes daily life with a disability, since wealthier people can afford home adaptations, mobility products, and extra care. Those on lower incomes often cannot access the same support.

Topic Definition

Models of Disability

Models of disability are the working frameworks people use to define what disability is and to decide how society should respond to it. The two most widely applied today are the medical model and the social model. The medical model treats disability as an individual health matter rooted in impairment, functional limitation, and the need for professional treatment, which is why it tends to place the medical profession at the center of solutions. The social model takes a different view, arguing that people with impairments are largely disabled by the physical, economic, and attitudinal barriers that society puts in their way, and that removing those barriers gives disabled people a fairer chance at everyday life. Because the model a person or institution adopts influences policy, funding, and public attitudes, the choice of framework has a real effect on access, rights, and quality of life.

Overview

How Two Frameworks Shape the Way We Define Disability

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).

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main models of disability besides the medical and social models

Beyond the medical and social models, common frameworks include the biopsychosocial model, the charity model, the rights based model, and the affirmation model. Each offers a different lens on how disability should be understood and addressed.

Who developed the social model of disability

The social model grew out of the work of disabled activists in the United Kingdom during the 1970s, particularly the Union of the Physically Impaired Against Segregation. Academic Mike Oliver later coined the term social model to describe the approach.

What is the biopsychosocial model of disability

The biopsychosocial model blends biological, psychological, and social factors to explain disability rather than relying on any single cause. It underpins the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.

Is the social model officially recognized in international law

Yes, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities reflects social model thinking by framing disability as the result of interaction between impairments and barriers. It commits signatory countries to removing those barriers.

What is people first language

People first language places the person before the impairment, such as saying a person with a disability rather than a disabled person. Preferences vary, and some communities favor identity first language instead.

How does the medical model influence disability benefits

Many benefit systems use medical model criteria that require diagnosis and proof of functional limitation to determine eligibility. This means applicants often need clinical assessments and documentation from health professionals.

What is the difference between an impairment and a disability

An impairment is a loss or difference in body structure or function, while disability refers to the disadvantage a person experiences as a result. The social model stresses that this disadvantage is often produced by society.

Why does the choice of disability model matter

The model a government or institution adopts guides whether resources go toward medical treatment or toward accessibility and anti discrimination measures. This shapes everyday access, funding priorities, and public attitudes.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: Ultimately, the way we define disability shapes our attitudes, policies, and daily interactions, making it essential to consider both individual needs and systemic barriers - only then can society move toward genuine inclusion and equal opportunity for all. The discussion of disability models in this piece underscores a critical truth: how we define disability shapes how we address it. While the medical model focuses on fixing individual impairments, the social model challenges us to dismantle environmental and attitudinal barriers. This duality invites reflection on the shared responsibility to create a world where participation isn't dictated by physical or mental differences. For individuals, families, and policymakers, the article serves as a call to move beyond outdated perceptions and advocate for systemic change that prioritizes accessibility and equity, ensuring that everyone can engage fully in society.

Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability, a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.