“Words are critical in shaping ideas, perceptions and attitudes.” [1.]

The written and spoken word is one of the most important tools of communication. Its use can shape social behaviour and viewpoints to a drastic extend. Considering the language used to describe ethnic groups and social differences, it is a fact that terms commonly used only one or two generations ago are now considered offensive and might even be punishable when used in public. [2.] Reconsidering the terminologies and names used to describe disability and a disabled person can already create difficulties and feelings of oppression to those affected. There have therefore been numerous efforts to categorise and establish acceptable language to address and refer to people with disabilities.

Looking at the definition created by the ‘Union of Physically Impaired Against Segregation’ (UPIAS) shows their conscious effort to push the social model of disability into the general societies understanding and point of view. For the term ‘Disability’ it states that it is “the disadvantage or restriction of activity brought about by contemporary social organisation, which takes little or no account of people who have physical impairments and thus excludes them from participation in the mainstream of social activities. Physical oppression thus becomes a form of social oppression.”

The main statement of the social model of disability is that it is not a person’s physical condition that is disabling but society and the way they marginalise people.

Tony Makin, a British counsellor facing disabilities himself, describes that the understanding and differentiation between the medical and social model of disability helped him to reflect on his own situation and what it was that actually disabled him. He states:

“Through stubbornness and determination I have managed to overcome much of my impairment, yet I was aware that something else was still disabling me. The explanation lay within my discovery of the social model which outlines how my capabilities and opportunities were being restricted or curtailed by poor social organization. {…} This {…} suggests that disabled people’s individual and collective disadvantage is due in large part to a complex form of institutional discrimination as fundamental to our society as sexism, racism or heterosexism. Most people have not been brought up to accept disabled people as they are. Through fear, ignorance and prejudice, barriers and discriminatory practices develop which are disabling to us.” [3.]

Directly comparing the two models, Makin created diagrams [4.] displaying them in a very similar format:

The Medical Model of Disability

Medical Model of Disability - Chart

The Social Model of Disability

The Social Model of Disablity

It is the ‘barriers’ present in society that truly disable people.

DPA (Disabled People’s Association), 2003. Dictionary of Disability Terminology – First Edition. Singapore: Disabled People’s Association (DPA); pIII [1.]

DPA (Disabled People’s Association), 2003. Dictionary of Disability Terminology – First Edition. Singapore: Disabled People’s Association (DPA); pIII-V [2.]

Makin, T., n.d.. The Social Model of Disability. In: Milner, P. and Palmer, S. eds, 2001. Counselling: The BACP Counselling Reader – Volume 2. London: SAGE Publications Ltd., Ch.26; pp.184-185 [3.]

Makin, T., n.d.. The Social Model of Disability. In: Milner, P. and Palmer, S. eds, 2001. Counselling: The BACP Counselling Reader – Volume 2. London: SAGE Publications Ltd., Ch.26; p186 [4.]