The Social Model says that
people are disabled by barriers in society.
In KiNETIC, we think the Social Model is very useful
to help us understand disabled people’s experiences.
We want others to understand it too.
You can also watch this video made by Scope.
It shows what the Social Model means to others.
Our impairments do not necessarily cause problems.
More often, how society treats us
is what stops us from being included and equal.
Some barriers for disabled people are practical.
Other barriers are caused by people’s attitudes.
Here are just a few examples:
· Buildings without ramps or accessible toilets –
so that many people with physical impairments
can’t use them.
· Road crossings without textured surfaces –
so that many blind and visually impaired people are unsafe.
· Communication that is only spoken –
so that many d/Deaf people can’t join in.
· Harsh lighting and noisy environments
that cause sensory problems
for many people with neurological conditions.
· Attitudes that exclude us
or make us feel unsafe or unwelcome.
· Lack of suitable services and support.
When barriers are removed,
disabled people have more equality.
We have more dignity, choice, control and independence.
In fact, barriers like this are a problem
for many different people – disabled and non-disabled.
A society that removes barriers for disabled people
is likely to be better for everyone.
The Social Model of disability
is completely different from
the Medical Model.
The Medical Model often treats disabled people
as if we are ‘broken’ or a ‘problem’,
or somehow ‘less’ than non-disabled people.
The Medical Model sometimes tries to ‘fix’ us,
even if we don’t want to be ‘fixed’.
The Medical Model says the problem is us, disabled people.
The Social Model says the problem is our disabling world.
Inclusion London have made two useful diagrams
that help us compare the two different models:
Find out more
about the Social Model of disability
in this Factsheet from Inclusion London.
There is an Easy Read version here.