4.1. Identify what is meant by the ‘social model’ of disability

This guide will help you answer 4.1. Identify what is meant by the ‘social model’ of disability.

What Is the Social Model of Disability?

The social model of disability is a way of understanding disability that focuses on societal barriers, rather than focusing only on a person’s physical or mental condition. It suggests that people are not disabled by their impairments, but by the obstacles society places in their way. These obstacles can be physical, like buildings without lifts or ramps, or societal, such as attitudes that exclude people with disabilities from work, leisure, or education.

This model was developed in response to the “medical model” of disability. Under the medical model, the problem of disability is seen as lying within the individual. The focus is placed on diagnosing, treating or “fixing” the person. In contrast, the social model shifts attention towards the environment and how it can be made inclusive for all.

For example, someone using a wheelchair might have difficulty accessing a shop. The medical model would see the person as unable to walk and focus on that as the “problem”. The social model, on the other hand, would look at the shop. It would argue the issue is that the shop does not have a ramp, making it inaccessible. With changes to the environment or society, like installing ramps, many of the barriers faced by disabled people can be removed.

Key Ideas of the Social Model

The social model of disability encourages us to see how society can create or reduce barriers. Below are the core principles of this model explained in simple terms.

Disability and Impairment Are Different

The social model makes a clear distinction between “impairment” and “disability”:

• Impairment is a person’s physical, mental, or sensory difference. For example, being blind or having a hearing loss.
• Disability is the disadvantage or exclusion caused by how society responds to those impairments. This includes inaccessible buildings, lack of resources, or stereotypical attitudes about disabled people.

This distinction shifts the focus away from the person and places attention on the surroundings and society.

Society Creates Barriers

Disabilities often arise because of the way society is structured. These could include:

• Physical barriers: Such as stairs instead of lifts, narrow doorways, or public transport that is impossible for wheelchair users.
• Information barriers: For example, websites without screen reader compatibility, or written information not available in formats like Braille or easy read.
• Attitudinal barriers: These involve stereotypes, prejudice, or a lack of understanding about disability. An example could be an employer assuming someone with a disability cannot handle certain tasks and not giving them the opportunity.

When these barriers are removed, disabled people’s ability to participate fully in society increases.

Inclusion Over Exclusion

From a social model perspective, the solution to disability is to create a society that includes everyone. This involves designing environments, policies, and services with accessibility in mind. For instance, designing parks with wide paths for wheelchair users ensures they are more inclusive.

The social model highlights the importance of “universal design”. This means designing spaces and tools so they work for as many people as possible without the need for adaption.

Impact of the Social Model of Disability

The social model has had a big influence on how societies think about and support disabled people. Below are some key areas in which it has made a difference.

Influencing Law and Policy

Governments use the social model of disability to create laws and policies that protect disabled people’s rights. In the UK, for example, the Equality Act 2010 requires employers and service providers to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people. These adjustments include changing environments or processes so they are more inclusive.

Another example is the UK Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) of 1995. This introduced legal obligations to ensure disabled people could access public spaces and services. These laws reflect the idea that society needs to change rather than expecting individuals to adapt.

Encouraging Positive Attitudes

The social model challenges negative stereotypes about disability. It encourages people to value diversity and to recognise that disabled people can contribute equally to society when they are not excluded.

For example, children taught about the social model at school may grow up understanding that inclusion is an important responsibility for everyone. This transforms how future generations will work, study, and play alongside people with disabilities.

Promoting Independence

With the social model, more energy is given to providing accessible services, assistive technology, and community support. This empowers disabled people to live independently. Such independence is often limited not because of impairments themselves but because of inaccessible systems and spaces.

Shifting the Focus in Health and Social Care Settings

In health and social care, the social model ensures that disabled individuals are treated as people first. It moves away from a “fix-it” attitude focusing solely on cures or treatments. Instead, it champions approaches that improve quality of life and remove barriers that prevent participation, such as inaccessible housing or employment gaps.

Criticism and Misunderstandings

Like any idea, the social model has faced criticism and is sometimes misunderstood. Below are some examples.

Overlooking Individual Needs

Some argue that the social model might oversimplify the experiences of disabled individuals. For example, for someone with chronic pain or progressive conditions, personal impairment can still feel disabling no matter how inclusive their environment is.

Misinterpreting the Model

The social model doesn’t ignore medical or personal factors entirely. It aims to describe how society “disables” people more than their impairments do. Sometimes it is misrepresented as suggesting impairments play no role in a person’s experience of disability, which isn’t true.

Practical Limitations

Making society fully inclusive is an ongoing process. Not all barriers can be removed overnight, and there are times when the social model might feel unrealistic. For example, historical buildings listed as landmarks may not always be able to have lifts installed easily.

Real-Life Examples of the Social Model

To better understand the social model of disability, let’s look at some real-world applications:

Accessible Public Transport

• Under the social model, the problem isn’t that a wheelchair user can’t walk. The issue lies in buses without ramps or underground stations without lifts.
• By introducing low-floor buses and accessible stations, transportation becomes inclusive.

Workplace Adjustments

• A person with hearing loss can struggle in meetings with multiple people talking at once. The solution under the social model might include providing real-time captions or a sign language interpreter.
• Rather than focusing only on the person’s impairment, adjustments are made to the working environment.

Inclusive Education

• Some children may find learning in a typical classroom challenging due to dyslexia or autism. The social model supports using tools like visual aids, quiet spaces, or one-to-one support. Education becomes about adapting teaching methods to fit the child.

Why the Social Model Matters

The social model of disability has changed how we think about inclusion and access. By identifying that society creates many barriers faced by disabled people, the focus shifts away from blaming individuals for their impairments. Instead, it places the responsibility on everyone to create an inclusive, accessible world.

For support workers, this model is vital to applying person-centred care. It encourages looking at the bigger picture – not just an individual’s impairment but also the physical, social, and cultural environments that affect their experiences. When you understand and apply this concept in your role, you play a part in removing barriers and promoting inclusion for everyone.