This guide will you answer The Care Certificate Standard 9.2b. Describe the social model of disability and how it underpins positive attitudes towards disability and involving people in their own care.
What is the Social Model of Disability?
The social model of disability is a way of thinking about disability that shifts the focus from an individual’s medical condition to the barriers that society creates. These barriers can be physical, such as inaccessible buildings and transport, or they can be due to people’s attitudes and the way society is organised. The model differentiates between ‘impairment’ and ‘disability’, describing impairment as the condition or illness itself and disability as the restrictions and disadvantages that arise due to societal barriers.
Historical Context
The social model of disability first emerged in the 1960s and 1970s. It was developed by disabled activists who felt that the then-dominant medical model of disability was inappropriate. The medical model viewed disability as a problem inherent in the individual, something to be ‘fixed’ or ‘cured’. Disabled people found this view limiting and disempowering. They proposed an alternative— the social model— that focuses on removing societal barriers and promoting inclusion.
How the Social Model Underpins Positive Attitudes Towards Disability
Promotes Inclusion and Equality
The social model encourages society to recognise that people with impairments are disabled by the way society is structured, rather than by their impairment itself. This perspective promotes inclusion and equality. It shifts the responsibility from the individual to society to make necessary changes. For example, a person in a wheelchair is not disabled by their inability to walk but by the absence of ramps and elevators in buildings.
Challenges Stereotypes
By focusing on societal barriers, the social model helps to challenge stereotypes about disabled people. Instead of viewing disability as a personal tragedy or a burden, the model encourages the understanding that people have different abilities and that society should accommodate these differences. This approach fosters a positive attitude by recognising the value and contributions that disabled people can bring to all areas of life.
Empowers Disabled Individuals
When society adopts the social model, it empowers disabled individuals by affirming their right to full participation in social, economic, and cultural life. It promotes the idea that people with impairments should have the same opportunities and choices as everyone else. This not only enhances the quality of life for disabled people but also enriches society as a whole.
Involving People in Their Own Care
Person-Centred Approach
The social model of disability supports a person-centred approach to care. This means placing the individual at the heart of the decision-making process. People should have a say in their own care and support needs. This approach values the individual’s experiences and preferences, promoting dignity and respect. The social model asserts that the person, rather than their impairment, should be the focus.
Collaboration and Partnership
Involving individuals in their own care requires collaboration and partnership. Health and social care professionals should work together with individuals to develop care plans that suit their needs. This collaborative approach ensures that care is tailored to the person and not just based on a diagnosis. It recognises the expertise that individuals have about their own lives and conditions.
Empowering Autonomy
The social model promotes autonomy by encouraging individuals to take control of their own lives. This can mean having the choice about where to live, what kind of support they receive, and how they spend their time. Empowering autonomy helps improve self-esteem and well-being. When individuals contribute to their own care planning and decision-making, they feel more valued and respected.
Practical Applications in Health and Social Care
Environmental Adjustments
Applying the social model in health and social care involves making environmental adjustments to remove barriers. This can include installing ramps, accessible toilets, and tactile signs. Adjustments should also be made in communication, such as providing information in braille or sign language interpreters. These changes create an inclusive environment where everyone can participate fully.
Training and Awareness
Training health and social care professionals is crucial. They should be taught to understand the social model of disability and its implications for practice. This includes challenging their own perceptions and attitudes towards disability. Education fosters a more inclusive and understanding approach in everyday practice.
Policy and Practice
Health and social care policies should reflect the social model of disability. Organisations should adopt policies that promote equality, inclusion, and participation. This can involve reviewing existing policies and practices to identify and remove barriers. By embedding the social model into policy, organisations can create a supportive environment for disabled individuals.
Individualised Care Plans
Care plans should be individualised and reflect the preferences and needs of the person. This involves assessing what changes need to be made to remove barriers and discussing these with the individual. Their desires and aspirations should guide the planning and delivery of care. This approach supports the principles of the social model by focusing on removing barriers rather than ‘fixing’ the individual.
Example answers for activity 9.2b. Describe the social model of disability and how it underpins positive attitudes towards disability and involving people in their own care.
Here are example answers from the perspective of a care worker completing this unit:
Example 1
The social model of disability suggests that disability is caused by the way society is organised, rather than by a person’s impairment. This means that barriers like inaccessible buildings, or negative attitudes, disable people, not the impairment itself. Understanding this shifts focus on removing these barriers which promotes a positive attitude towards disability. By focusing on removing barriers, we empower individuals to participate fully in society and make their own choices about their care. This promotes inclusion, respect and autonomy, enhancing their quality of life.
Example 2
The social model of disability underpins positive attitudes by recognising that societal barriers, not the impairment itself, create disability. This perspective shifts the emphasis to adapting the environment and attitudes, which fosters respect and equality for disabled individuals. It encourages society to value and include people with disabilities, promoting a more inclusive and supportive community. By concentrating on removing barriers, we promote independence and empower people to be active participants in their own care.
Example 3
The social model of disability involves people in their own care by emphasising that they should be active participants in decision-making. It promotes a person-centred approach where the individual’s preferences, experiences, and aspirations are at the forefront. This means care plans are tailored to meet individual needs and remove specific barriers they face. By involving individuals in planning and decision-making, it empowers them, enhances their autonomy, and ensures the care they receive is respectful and dignified.
Example 4
The medical model of disability views disability as a problem that resides in the individual, caused directly by their impairment. It aims to ‘fix’ or ‘cure’ the impairment. In contrast, the social model sees disability as a result of societal barriers that prevent individuals from fully participating. The focus is on adapting the environment and changing attitudes rather than trying to change the individual. This approach promotes inclusion and equality by recognising that society must change to remove barriers and support individuals’ needs and rights.
Example 5
In my work, I applied the social model by supporting a resident who uses a wheelchair. Instead of seeing the wheelchair as the problem, I focused on the barriers in our facility, like the lack of accessible ramps and narrow doorways. I worked with the management to install ramps and widen doors, enabling the resident to navigate freely. This approach empowered the resident, promoting their independence and enhancing their quality of life. It also fostered a more inclusive environment for all residents.
Example 6
It is important to involve individuals in planning their own care according to the social model of disability because it empowers them and ensures their needs and preferences are met. By involving them, we recognise their expertise about their own lives and conditions. This creates a sense of autonomy and respect, enhancing their wellbeing and dignity. It also helps in developing more effective and personalised care plans that address the specific barriers they face, ensuring better outcomes and a higher quality of life.
Conclusion
The social model of disability provides a progressive framework for understanding disability. It shifts the focus from the individual’s impairment to the societal barriers that restrict participation. This model underpins positive attitudes towards disability by promoting inclusion, challenging stereotypes, and empowering disabled individuals. Involving people in their own care through a person-centred approach, collaboration, and promoting autonomy are essential aspects of this model.
Implementing the social model in health and social care involves making environmental adjustments, providing training, adopting inclusive policies, and creating individualised care plans. Adopting these practices fosters a positive and inclusive society where disabled individuals can thrive and participate fully.