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Interactive Audio Lesson
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Medical Model
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Today, we're going to discuss the Medical Model of disability. Does anyone know how this model defines disability?
Is it about treating a person to make them 'normal'?
Exactly! The Medical Model views disability as an individual problem. It focuses on cure and rehabilitation. Can anyone think of why this might be limiting?
Because it puts the focus solely on the individual and not on society's role?
Very true! This model can lead to stigmatization because it views people as 'deficient'. Remember, the focus is on treatment. Let's move to another model.
Social Model
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Now, let’s talk about the Social Model of disability. How does this differ from the Medical Model?
It says that disability is caused by barriers in society, right?
Correct! The Social Model argues that society is what disables individuals through physical and attitudinal barriers. What do you think this means for infrastructure design?
We need to focus on removing barriers instead of just helping individuals.
Yes! This model calls for equality and inclusion, emphasizing the need for societal change.
Biopsychosocial Model
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Let’s discuss the Biopsychosocial Model. How does this approach combine elements from the Medical and Social Models?
It looks at both the individual’s health and the societal barriers they face, right?
Exactly! This model integrates personal and environmental factors, providing a comprehensive understanding of disability. Why do you think this is important?
It helps create better solutions that consider all aspects affecting a person’s ability to participate.
Well said! Understanding this model is crucial for civil engineers tasked with designing inclusive infrastructure.
Comparison of Models
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Let’s review what we’ve learned. Can anyone summarize the strengths and weaknesses of the Medical Model?
It focuses on treatment, which can help, but it ignores social factors.
Perfect! And what about the Social Model?
It emphasizes removing barriers, but it may overlook the individual’s health conditions.
Right! And the Biopsychosocial Model aims for a balanced view. What’s one way this impacts civil engineering?
It encourages designs that consider both health and societal factors for all users.
Exactly! Each model provides unique insights that inform inclusive design.
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
Standard
In this section, we explore the three main models of disability—the Medical Model, Social Model, and Biopsychosocial Model. The Medical Model views disability as an individual problem needing treatment, while the Social Model emphasizes societal barriers as the root causes of disability. The Biopsychosocial Model combines aspects of both, considering how health conditions and a person's environment interact.
Detailed
Detailed Summary of Models of Disability
Understanding disability can be framed within three primary models:
1. Medical Model
- Definition: This model focuses on the individual afflicted by the disability, treating it as a problem to be solved. It emphasizes diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. It perceives disabled individuals as defective or abnormal, focusing on finding cures or corrective measures.
- Key Point: The individual as the central focus for solutions, often leading to stigmatization or perception of inferiority.
2. Social Model
- Definition: The Social Model posits that disability arises from societal barriers that prevent individuals from participating fully in society. It highlights the importance of removing physical and attitudinal barriers, promoting inclusion and equality.
- Key Point: Empowering individuals by emphasizing societal change rather than focusing solely on individual limitations.
3. Biopsychosocial Model
- Definition: This model integrates the Medical and Social Models, recognizing that disability is a result of the interaction between health conditions and contextual factors, both personal and environmental. This perspective advances a more holistic view of disability.
- Key Point: A comprehensive approach acknowledging that both biological and social factors are essential to address.
Understanding these models is vital for civil engineers and planners in creating inclusive infrastructure that accommodates all individuals, regardless of their abilities.
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Medical Model of Disability
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• Views disability as a problem of the individual.
• Focuses on cure, treatment, and rehabilitation.
• Considers the person to be ‘deficient’ or ‘abnormal’.
Detailed Explanation
The Medical Model treats disability as a personal issue, stemming from an individual's health condition or impairment. It largely emphasizes medical interventions — like treatment or rehabilitation — to 'fix' a person's disability, viewing them as someone who is not normal. This model often leads to a focus on what is wrong with the individual rather than considering how society can change to support them.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine someone with a broken leg. The Medical Model would focus on the injury itself, suggesting that the individual needs surgery or physical therapy to heal. However, this doesn’t take into account that the environment — like stairs or high curbs — may hinder their mobility even after healing.
Social Model of Disability
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• Disability arises due to societal barriers, not the individual.
• Emphasizes removing physical, attitudinal, and institutional barriers.
• Focuses on equality and inclusion.
Detailed Explanation
The Social Model shifts the perspective on disability from the individual to society. It argues that disabilities are caused by societal barriers that prevent people from fully participating in everyday life. This model encourages us to look at how we can remove these barriers — whether they are physical (like ramps and accessible toilets), attitudinal (like stigma), or institutional (like discriminatory policies) — to create a more inclusive society.
Examples & Analogies
Consider a public building without ramps or wide doors. A person using a wheelchair might be able to function without any issues if the environment is supportive. The social model advocates for creating accessible environments where the barriers are eliminated, allowing everyone to participate fully, just like providing a ramp for someone who uses a wheelchair.
Biopsychosocial Model of Disability
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• Integrates both medical and social perspectives.
• Recognizes the interaction between health conditions and contextual factors (both personal and environmental).
Detailed Explanation
The Biopsychosocial Model takes a comprehensive approach by incorporating aspects of both the Medical Model and the Social Model. It acknowledges that an individual's disability is affected not only by their health conditions but also by their personal circumstances and the environment around them. This model promotes a holistic understanding of disability, suggesting that effective support must consider medical, psychological, and social aspects.
Examples & Analogies
Think about a student with a learning disability. According to the Biopsychosocial Model, understanding their challenges requires looking at their cognitive condition (medical), their feelings about learning and academic pressure (psychological), and the classroom's design or teaching methods (social/environmental). This model encourages personalized support that ensures the student has access to resources that match their specific situation.
Definitions & Key Concepts
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Key Concepts
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Medical Model: Views disability as an individual problem focused on treatment.
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Social Model: Attributes disability to societal barriers, advocating for their removal.
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Biopsychosocial Model: Combines aspects of medical and social perspectives.
Examples & Real-Life Applications
See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.
Examples
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The Medical Model might suggest a wheelchair user needs physical therapy to walk, while the Social Model would focus on improving accessibility in public spaces.
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In a hospital, without ramps and wide doors, patients with disabilities might feel excluded, which highlights the Social Model's perspective.
Memory Aids
Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.
🎵 Rhymes Time
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The Medical Model needs a cure, / The Social Model opens the door, / Biopsychosocial says, 'Don't forget, / Both health and context are a safe bet!'.
📖 Fascinating Stories
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Once there were three friends, Med, Soc, and Bio. Med only saw a broken leg, while Soc pointed at the bumpy road. Bio, the wise one, knew both mattered together. They built a bridge, ensuring everyone could cross!
🧠 Other Memory Gems
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M for Medical (treatment), S for Social (society's role), B for Biopsychosocial (integration) - remember 'MSB' for the three models!
🎯 Super Acronyms
To remember the models
- 'MSB' — Medical
- Social
- Biopsychosocial.
Flash Cards
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Glossary of Terms
Review the Definitions for terms.
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Term: Medical Model
Definition:
A perspective that views disability as a problem of the individual requiring treatment and rehabilitation.
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Term: Social Model
Definition:
A perspective that emphasizes societal barriers as the primary cause of disability, advocating for the removal of these barriers.
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Term: Biopsychosocial Model
Definition:
A model that integrates both medical and social perspectives, recognizing the interaction between health conditions and contextual factors.