1.3.1. Medical Model

• Views disability as a problem of the individual. • Focuses on cure, treatment, and rehabilitation. • Considers the person to be ‘deficient’ or ‘abnormal’.

The medical model of disability treats disability primarily as a medical issue. It defines disability as something that stems from physical or mental limitations. This model emphasizes the need for medical intervention, such as treatment or rehabilitation, to 'cure' or 'normalize' the individual. For example, if a person uses a wheelchair, under this model, the primary focus would be how to rehabilitate them to walk again, rather than enhancing accessibility in their environment.

Imagine a person who is colorblind. Under the medical model, the approach might be to devise treatments that could help them perceive colors normally, rather than considering how to design environments and information in a way that accommodates colorblind individuals, such as using shapes or patterns alongside colors.

The medical model leads to viewing individuals with disabilities as needing help and oversight, often resulting in a focus on their limitations rather than their capabilities.

One consequence of the medical model is that it can result in a negative perception of individuals with disabilities. They might be seen primarily as patients or clients in need of assistance rather than as people with potential and skills. This perspective can undermine the self-esteem and social inclusion of persons with disabilities, as it emphasizes their 'deficiencies' without recognizing their contributions to society.

Consider a classroom with a student who has a learning disability. If teachers apply the medical model, they might treat this student as someone who cannot learn effectively. This could lead to placing them in remedial classes instead of integrating them into regular lessons or providing the necessary support to harness their strengths and interests.

In contrast to the medical model, other models like the social model focus on the barriers created by society rather than the individual's impairments.

The medical model stands in contrast to models like the social model, which argues that society's structure creates disabilities more than individual impairments themselves. Under the social model, the focus is on removing barriers—be they physical, attitudinal, or institutional—that prevent individuals from fully participating in society. This shift moves the conversation from individual shortcomings to societal responsibility.

Think about public transportation. If a bus is not accessible to wheelchair users, the social model would advocate for making that bus accessible rather than suggesting that wheelchair users should just find another way to travel. It emphasizes societal adjustment rather than individual limitation.

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