This PPT Prepared by Teacher Educator from Thiagarajar College of Preceptors Madurai for B.Ed Trainees.

1. MODELS OF DISABILITY
PRESENTED
BY
T.GNANAPRAKASAM, M.SC., M.ED, M.SC (PSYCHOLOGY),
NET(EDUCATION)
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN EDUCATION,
THIAGARAJAR COLLEGE OF PRECEPTORS,
MADURAI-9.

2. MODELS OF DISABILITY
Introduction:
Models of disability are tools for defining
impairment and ultimately, for providing a basis
upon which government and society can devise
strategies for meeting the needs of disabled
people.
Models of disability are essentially devised by
people ( normal people) about other (disabled)
people.

3. FUNDAMENTAL PHILOSOPHIES
•It focuses disabled people as dependent upon
society. This can result paternalism,
segregation and discrimination.
•It focuses disabled people as customers of
what society has to offer. It leads to choice,
empowerment, equality of human rights and
integration.

4. TYPES OF MODELS OF DISABILITY
•Individual Model
•Social Model
•Medical Model
•Nagi’s Model
•Quebec Disability Production Process Model
•Human Rights Model
•Professional Model

5. TYPES OF MODELS OF DISABILITY
•Transactional Model
•Charity model
•Functional or Economical Model
•Rehabilitation Model

6. INDIVIDUAL MODEL OF DISABILITY
The two fundamentals of Individual models of Disability
 The problems of disability lies within the individual
 The causes of disability stem from the functional
limitations or psychological disorders which are assumed to
arise from disability
Above two points might be called “the personal tragedy
theory of disability”

7. FOCUSING POINT…
•It recommends caring and supporting the disabled
(instead of treating and curing them).
•Plead for the segregation of the disabled from the
normal people and provide appropriate training or
education for rehabilitating them.
•Severe impairments are to be taken care of, by
admitting them in rehabilitation institutions

8. DRAWBACKS OF INDIVIDUAL MODEL
•It considers source of disability lies within the
individuals; it ignores the role of physical and
social environment; i.e. makes the individual
response for his disability not social responsibility
•It considers the personal tragedy theory
•It suggests segregating the disabled from the
normal people and taking care of them. This is
against democratic principal

9. DRAWBACKS OF INDIVIDUAL MODEL
•No recommendation to provide equal opportunities to
them in all fields of life. This model considers
disabled people as inferior to others
•It ignores the responsibility of state and society, to
address the issues of the disabled.
•It does not offer any suggestion for making the
disabled to participate in social life fully like any other
normal individual in the society.

10. SOCIAL MODEL OF DISABILITY
 Disability as a consequence of
environmental, social and attitudinal
barriers
 Due to shortcomings of the society and
not because of the loss or limitations of
functioning of the bodily organs of an
individual

11. SOCIAL MODEL
•Instead of attempting to decrease the
disability level of the individuals, it is
better the society removes the barriers
(with respect to physical environment,
attitude of people and institutions etc.)
•Ensure the social participation of the
disabled

12. SALIENT FEATURES OF DISABILITY
• Artificial organs, special training and technical
assistance are provided to life a normal social life
• It advocates that the removal of attitudinal,
physical and institutional barriers will improve the
quality of disabled people.
•Instead of providing treatment, the society can
change itself and make available facilities .

13. FEATURES…
It recommends Inclusive education
It advocates equitable opportunities
Society can change to adapt the
disabled. (EX. Bus can be rearranged …)
Helps the disabled take control of their
own lives.

14. DRAWBACKS OF SOCIAL MODEL
•If the population will increase, it harder for the
society to adjust.
•Difficulty to understand by charities and
rehabilitation

15. MEDICAL MODEL OF DISABILITY
•Disability results from individual person,s
physical or mental limitations and largely
unconnected to the social and physical
environment.
• Disability as a consequence of the medical
condition of an individual
•Disability is due to dys-functioning of physical
organs

16. SALIENT FEATURES OF MEDICAL
MODEL
• To remove the handicap, attention should be
focused on “cure and care”
• Cannot cure completely. Adverse effects can be
reduced by treatment and training.
• Severe disabled can be admitted rehabilitation
centers for care & support.
•This model seeks the solution within the
individual by helping him and overcome the
personal impairment.

17. LIMITATIONS OF MEDICAL MODEL
• The solution of the disability is also lie within
the disabled.
•Segregating and admitting persons with
incurable disabilities in rehabilitation
institution. Differentiate the disabled from the
normal people
•Negative ideas are generated in employers
by this model which adversely affect the
livelihood of the disabled.

18. LIMITATIONS…
• Silent on the responsibilities of the state and
society in addressing the problems of
disabled.
• Against the democratic thinking of “progress
for all and progress with all”.

19. DIFFERENCE B/W MEDICAL MODEL &
SOCIAL MODEL
Medical Model
•Sources of disability is
located in bodily organs
•Solutions are curing
treating and curing them
to return normality
Social Model
• Due to physical and
attitudinal barriers in the
society
•Solution is that society
should adjust itself to
meet the needs and
aspiration of the disabled

20. DIFFERENCES…
Medical Model
• Disabled be segregated and
given treatment and training.
• The extent of disability is to be
reduced through the use of
necessary equipment, aids and
training.
• Creates the negative impression
that the disabled are abnormal
people
Social Model
• Efforts should be taken by the
society to have similar opportunities
as others on equitable basis.
• Considers that it is the duty of the
state and society, to help the
disabled to participate fully in social
activities
• Social model promotes positive
attitude towards in the minds of
people

21. DIFFERENCES…
Medical Model
• It views disability is against the
democratic principles
• Care and support is considered as
the primary measures in dealing
with the disabled
• All kinds of disabilities cannot be
fully cured
• Recommends Special Education or
training
Social Model
• Its viewing of disability based on
democratic principles.
• The responsibility of the society is
to remove the barriers .
• The society could help the disabled
to participate themselves fully in
social activities
• Emphasizes Inclusive Education.

22. NAGI’S MODELS OF DISABILITY
Disablement Terminology
Nagi used the term, pathology,
pathophysiology, impairment, functional
limitation and disability to describe health
status. These term can be used to categorize
clinical observations systematically.

24. NAGI’S MODEL
Disease
Disease is "a pathological condition of the body or abnormal entity with a
characteristic group of signs and symptoms that affect the body". Etiology can
be known or unknown. Signs are direct observable or measurable evidence of
physical abnormality while symptoms are the more subjective reactions to the
physical abnormality.
Impairments
• Impairments (direct) are the result of pathology or disease states and
include any loss or abnormality of physiologic, anatomic, or psychologic
structure or function. For a patient with stroke, examples of impairments that
are the direct result of pathology might include sensory loss, paresis and
hemianopia. Impairments may or may not be permanent.

25. NAGI’S MODEL
• Functional Limitation
“The restriction of the ability to perform at the level of the whole person, a physical action, task or
activity in an efficient, typically expected or competent manner.
(BADL )Basic ADL – Dressing, feeding, bathing &( IADL)Instrumental ADL – House cleaning,
preparing meals, shopping, managing finance, etc
• DISABILITY
The term disability refers to societal rather than individual functioning, it is defined as an inability to
perform or a limitation in the performance of actions, tasks and activities usually expected in specific
social roles that are customary for the individual or expected for the person’s status or role in a
specific sociocultural context and physical environment. Categories of required roles included are self
care, home management, work and community/ leisure.

26. NAGI’S MODEL
Terminologies associated with disability:
• Activity - The nature and extent of functioning.
• Function - Activities essential to support physical, social and
psychological well being.
• Health - State of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing.
• Quality of life: The sense of total well-being that encompass both
physical and psychosocial aspect of the patient's life.
• Participation: The extent of a person’s involvement in life
situations in relation to impairments, activities, health condition
and contextual factors. Participation may be restricted in nature,
duration and quality.