Disability Theory
There are multiple models of Disability Theory, or ways of thinking about the experience of people with Disabilities. These help us to understand why we think a certain way or to help us to relearn how to think about certain things. They are important for growth, both on an individual level where we each learn to unpack our own biases, and a societal level where we create policy with more inclusive considerations. Let’s take look at the most important models of Disability Theory.
Welcome to class, let’s dive in!
The Medical and Social models are, perhaps, the ones we use most often as a lens for discourse but before I get into those, I want to briefly touch on two others: the Moral Model and the Human Rights Model.
The Moral Model of Disability Theory
Firstly, the Moral Model is about the implicit biases we hold about Disability. The American Psychological Association has this to say on it:
In the moral model, disability is seen as having meaning about the person’s or the family’s character, deeds, thoughts, and karma. From this perspective, disability can carry stigma, shame and blame, particularly if the disability is seen as a mark of wrongdoing. Alternatively, disability can be seen as a sign of honor, faith or strength. For example, someone who is religious may believe they (or their family member) were chosen to have a disability due to God’s faith in them. Disability may also be perceived as a positive reminder of having survived a life challenge (e.g., a polio epidemic, or stepping on a land mine). The moral model is very prevalent worldwide and is often depicted in the media. For example, some movies use a physical disability to show evil. In contrast some movies portray the disabled person as one who goes beyond usual human levels to achieve unique goals, such as a wheelchair user who climbs El Capitan in Yosemite (1).
As you can see, this model isn’t so much about how we should see the world, but about how we do see the world. People with disabilities are just people. Some of them are kind, some are assholes, some are heroes, some are ordinary. But Disability itself is morally neutral and we must aim to deconstruct the implicit biases we hold (Reminder: we all hold implicit biases about things, it’s nothing to hide, but it’s our responsibility to do our best to unlearn them. Learn more here, take a quiz here).
Human Rights Model of Disability Theory
This model “accords fundamental human rights to persons with disabilities” (2).
Well no shit Sherlock, I’d hope all models would begin here. Enough said. Let’s move on.
Medical and Social Models of Disability Theory
Within the Medical Model, disabilities are seen through a physiological lens. If a person cannot walk, the Medical Model focuses on their inability to walk and the physiological reasons for that. Through this lens, Disability is often seen as something lacking, or a problem. By the very nature of this lens, it creates a hierarchy with abled folx above those with disabilities (3).
The Social Model, however, focuses on how Disabled folx move though the world. For example, it is said that providing ramps eliminates the “disability” for those who use mobility aids because they can now access any building they need to. This model sees Disability as something different, but not necessarily less than (3).
While both of these models are important, it is vital to view them together. Using the example above, a person who uses mobility aids does have barriers eliminated by accommodations such as ramps, but they are still Disabled and they still need those mobility aids.
The Disabled Community wants people to understand that “disability” is not a bad word. It’s okay to be Disabled, just as it’s okay to be abled or even ultra abled (lookin’ at you, Simone Biles!). In truth, there is no hierarchy, just humans with different needs.
But that’s not to minimize the Disabled experience. It is hard to be Disabled in this world. Accommodations are lacking - there are even buildings which still do not offer ramps even thirty years after the ADA was signed. Those implicit biases are raging - many have said that the Disabled Community is the still the most unrecognized marginalized community with more prejudice and systemic oppressions going flatly unnoticed by the majority of the population.
Homework Assignment:
Your only assignment this time is to follow one or more creators from the list below. If you already follow them, share their account with some friends.
Remember, firstly be an ally. Listen, create space, spread the message of the Community without speaking over the Community, and remember that no community is a monolith. And perhaps the most impactful thing you can do is to listen to Disabled people. Anyone I forgot in my list? Comment and let me know!
Imani Barbarin at Crutches and Spice
Alex Dacy at Wheelchair Rapunzel
The Activistic Autistic on Facebook
Curb Free with Cory Lee on Facebook
