Unit 2C11 L 12 The Medical Model of Disability

The medical model of disability views the individual as having a condition. The medical model views people with impairments as the problem; they ‘embody’ their disability. So for example if an individual using a wheel chair is unable to get into a public library because of the steps, the medical model would say its because of the of the wheel chair and not the steps. The medical model looks at what is ‘wrong’ with the person and not what the person needs. It creates low expectations and leads to the people losing independence, choice and control in their lives. An impairment is defined as the limitation of a person’s physical, mental or sensory function on a long term basis.

This model links disability diagnosis to an individuals physical body. It focuses on curing the illness or managing a disability. This is in aim to expand functionality or improve and to allow disable persons a more normal life. In terms of the lived experience of the person with disabilities ,the medical model disempowers them – it takes away their power. 
Control and decisions about their lives are kept in the hands of professionals and choices for the individual – choice about housing, education, training, employment and leisure- are limited to the options provided and approved by the helping expert. Some disability right groups see the medical model as a civil rights issue and criticize charitable organizations that use it in their portrayal of disabled people. It promotes a pitiable negatively largely disempowered image of people with disabilities rather than casting disability as political , social and environmental problem.