The social justice model of disability, widely known as the social model of disability, asserts that disability is primarily caused by barriers within society rather than an individual's impairment. This transformative perspective advocates for societal change to ensure full inclusion and equal participation for all.
Core Principles of the Social Model
Unlike medical or charity models that focus on an individual's 'defect' or 'need for pity', the social model fundamentally shifts the understanding of disability. The reference explicitly states, "The social model seeks to change society in order to accommodate people living with impairment. It does not seek to change persons with impairment to accommodate society." This core tenet underpins its approach.
Key principles include:
- Societal Responsibility: Society, not the individual, is responsible for creating disabling conditions through inaccessible environments, discriminatory attitudes, and exclusionary practices.
- Human Rights Perspective: It frames disability as a human rights issue, emphasizing the right of people with disabilities to live with dignity, equality, and full participation. As the reference highlights, "It supports the view that people with disability have a right to be fully participating citizens on an equal basis with others."
- Distinction Between Impairment and Disability:
- Impairment: A physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental condition.
- Disability: The disadvantage or restriction of activity caused by societal organization that takes no or little account of people who have impairments.
Shifting the Focus: From Individual to Environment
The social model argues that if society was designed to accommodate a diverse range of human abilities, many impairments would not result in disability. For example, a person using a wheelchair is not disabled by their inability to walk, but by stairs, narrow doorways, or lack of ramps that prevent them from accessing buildings.
Examples of Societal Barriers
The social model identifies various forms of barriers that create disability:
- Physical Barriers: Inaccessible buildings, lack of ramps, non-braille signs, narrow doorways.
- Attitudinal Barriers: Stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination, low expectations, and a lack of understanding from others.
- Communication Barriers: Lack of sign language interpreters, unavailability of information in accessible formats (e.g., large print, audio, plain language).
- Systemic Barriers: Discriminatory policies, laws, or practices in areas like employment, education, or healthcare that exclude people with disabilities.
Practical Applications and Solutions
Embracing the social model leads to proactive solutions aimed at removing these barriers:
- Universal Design: Designing products, environments, and services to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. For example, curb cuts benefit not only wheelchair users but also parents with strollers or delivery personnel. Learn more about Universal Design
- Accessible Technology: Developing and implementing technologies that can be used by people with a wide range of abilities, such as screen readers for visually impaired individuals or closed captions for those with hearing impairments.
- Anti-Discrimination Legislation: Enacting and enforcing laws that protect people with disabilities from discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and other areas (e.g., the Americans with Disabilities Act in the U.S.).
- Inclusive Education: Creating educational environments where students with and without disabilities learn together, with necessary supports and accommodations provided.
- Awareness and Advocacy: Challenging stereotypes and promoting positive attitudes towards disability through education and advocacy campaigns.
Impact and Importance
The social model of disability has been instrumental in driving policy changes, promoting inclusive practices, and empowering people with disabilities globally. It transforms the narrative from one of individual tragedy to one of collective responsibility, fostering a society where everyone can participate fully and equally.
Key Tenets of the Social Model
| Aspect | Social Model Perspective |
|---|---|
| Cause of Disability | Disabling barriers in society (e.g., inaccessible environments, prejudiced attitudes, discriminatory policies). |
| Focus of Change | Society and its structures. It seeks to change society in order to accommodate people living with impairment. |
| Goal | Full inclusion and equal participation for all people with disabilities. People with disability have a right to be fully participating citizens on an equal basis with others. |
