The Diversity and Social Models of Disability

The Diversity and Social Models of Disability

The social model of disability is a way of understanding disability that sees it as a result of the way society is structured, rather than as a personal deficiency or medical issue. This model shifts the focus from the individual with a disability to the barriers and prejudices they face in society.

According to the social model, disability is not a personal problem, but rather a social issue that arises when people with disabilities encounter barriers that prevent them from fully participating in society. These barriers can be physical, such as buildings that are not accessible to people with mobility impairments, or social, such as negative attitudes and stereotypes.

Key Principles of the Social Model

One of the key ideas of the social model is that disability is not an inherent characteristic of an individual, but rather a relationship between the person and their environment. This means that someone who is labeled as "disabled" in one context may not be considered disabled in another context, depending on the availability of accommodations and support.

The social model also challenges the notion that disability is a deficiency that needs to be fixed or cured. Instead, it suggests that it is society's responsibility to make necessary changes in order to allow people with disabilities to fully participate and thrive. This includes making physical spaces and technologies accessible, as well as challenging negative attitudes and stereotypes about disability. My good friend Sheri Byrne-Haber wrote a great article about two very different outcomes from two retailers in supporting Deaf job applicants to create a community of inclusion and awareness. https://sheribyrnehaber.com/a-tale-of-two-retailers-a-disability-inclusion-story

The social model has had a significant impact on the disability rights movement, and has led to a number of important policy and legislative changes. For example, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) are both based on the principles of the social model. In California, where I live, the Unruh Act prohibits businesses from discriminating against people based on many factors, including people with disabilities. It states in part "...[people] are entitled to the full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, or services in all business establishments of every kind whatsoever."

These laws mandate the provision of reasonable accommodations and support for people with disabilities, in order to ensure that they can fully participate in society.

Critics of the Social Model

The social model of disability has been influential in raising awareness about the barriers and prejudices that people with disabilities face, and has helped to bring about important changes in society. However, it has also been criticized for focusing too much on external factors and not enough on the individual experiences of people with disabilities. Some have argued that the model fails to take into account the unique challenges and struggles that people with disabilities face, and that it does not adequately address the need for personal support and assistance.

Despite these criticisms, the social model of disability remains an important framework for understanding the experience of disability and the role of society in creating and addressing barriers. By recognizing the social and environmental factors that contribute to disability, we can work to create a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

The Diversity Model of Disability

The Diversity Model of Disability is an alternative approach to understanding disability that seeks to recognize the complex and varied nature of disability. This model, developed by Bickenbach et al. (1999), acknowledges that disability is not a monolithic experience, but rather a diverse and multifaceted phenomenon that is influenced by a range of personal, social, and environmental factors.

What is the The Diversity Model of Disability?

According to the Diversity Model, disability is not a fixed characteristic, but rather a dynamic and constantly changing process that is influenced by a variety of factors. These factors include individual characteristics, such as age, gender, and race; social and cultural factors, such as societal attitudes and policies; and environmental factors, such as access to resources and support.

The Non-Binary Concept of the Diversity Model

One of the key ideas of the Diversity Model is that disability is not a binary concept, but rather exists as a continuum range. This means that people with disabilities may have a wide range of experiences and challenges, and that the impact of disability can vary greatly from one person to another.

As a person with ADHD, my experiences and challenges can be very different from another person who is also diagnosed with ADHD. Again, not a binary definition. You can have ADHD or not, true. But how it influences your daily life can exist in a wide range of ways. Project paralysis can grip me for days, while for someone else it can last just a few hours or moments. My need to keep conversations moving does not always manifest in others with ADHD. We are all different.

Either Way, It's Still a Social Issue

The Diversity Model also recognizes that disability is not a personal problem, but rather a social issue that arises when people with disabilities encounter barriers and discrimination. These barriers can take many forms, including physical, attitudinal, and systemic barriers.

The Diversity Model has been influential in highlighting the complex and varied nature of disability, and has helped to shift the focus from individual deficits to social and environmental factors.

By recognizing the diversity of experiences and challenges faced by people with disabilities, we can work to create a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

-Dax Castro, ADS

References:

Bickenbach, J., Chatterji, S., Badley, E., & Ustun, B. (1999). Disability and culture. Annual Review of Public Health, 20, 479-502.