This is the first in a (hopefully) three part series on the social model of disability in learning. Part two explores how to apply the social model to learning. Part three is still mostly in my head and details how using the social model of disability has improved my training and learning design.
Many people who aren’t familiar with disabilities or disabled people tend to mildly panic when the topic is brought up. Perhaps they’re worried about offending people or broadcasting their own ignorance. Perhaps it’s genuinely not on their radar because it’s so far removed from their day to day experience.
A good place to start is with the social model of disability. Let’s take a little exploration into the two main models of disability. In a follow up blog, we can then apply them to learning experience design.
The medical model of disability
The medical model says that someone’s disability is caused by their impairment or difference and that difference needs to be “fixed.” You’re disabled, therefore something is “wrong with you” and you’re “different from the norm”.
The medical model can be very harmful in the way that people (both disabled and able-bodied) view disability. Disabled people are often patronised and assumed to be lower achievers, as well as excluded from many life events.
It can be summarised by “the disabled person is the problem” and they need to adapt (as much as they can) to conform.
The social model of disability
The social model on the other hand says that the problems are caused by society. It doesn’t matter if someone uses legs or wheels, it is steps that are not suitable.
The social model focuses on removing the barriers so disabled people can live their best lives.
It’s also worth noting that many of the barriers are actually barriers for lots of people, disabled and not. For example, heavy manual doors can be difficult for wheelchair users, or people with dexterity or strength issues (including old people, pregnant people) or people carrying lots of things, or navigating a pram… Many people benefit from automatic doors, including disabled people.
The social model can be summarised as “the problems are external and so the solutions are external too.”
Read more about the social and medical models of disability from Scope.
There’s so many ways to apply the social model of disability to learning. Go, on read the next one.
