Kelsey McLeod
Unit 12
Supporting Individuals with Additional Needs
Assignment 2
By Kelsey McLeod
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In this assignment I will be exploring the different views onto individuals with
disabilities, from the medical model and the social model. I will also be going
through various aspects of life that can influence on an individual with a disability.
P2: Explain how disability can be viewed as a social construct.
A physical or mental condition that limits movement or hinders the senses or
activities that an individual wants to engage in is referred to as a disability.
Disability has been perceived in numerous ways over the years, with the current
idea that those with disabilities need support and care. People with disabilities used
to be confined, forced to labour in workhouses, and segregated from society since
they were perceived as being less than ideal or normal by the population. This
approach is still prominent in most areas today. Many individuals with disabilities
are used to being called names or other derogatory terms, which are linked to
discrimination since they are rude, harsh, and disrespectful. When someone is
treated unfairly and differently from other individuals, it is called discrimination.
Numerous factors, including gender, age, sexual orientation, and others, may
contribute to this. Another crucial aspect of society's understanding of how
individuals are unique and different in their own ways is impairment. When a
person loses the ability to use a physical or mental bodily part, they are said to be
impaired.
According to the medical model, people with disabilities must be fixed or receive
specialised assistance. The medical model was first created in the 70s. The model
is fixated on the person's impairment and thinks that the impairment is what makes
them disabled. In turn, this resulted in the perception that being disabled meant
being unable to access products and services or fully participate in society. The
medical model was centred not on assisting the person with the disability but on
the idea that they should be changed to be normal by making numerous attempts to
fix them. For instance, a person who requires a wheelchair might not receive one,
but specialists might try to change that by breaking the person's legs and
immobilising them with a cast in an unsuccessful attempt to make them move. The
emergence of the medical model has impacted society's views and perceptions of
persons with disabilities, as well as helped advance legislation like the Disability
Discrimination Act of 1995 and the Equality Act of 2010. The model has had an
impact on both acts since they specify what the person cannot do while also
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providing precise instructions on how the person should be protected because they
are more vulnerable. The model's primary goal is to concentrate on the issues that
everyone is currently facing rather than how their impairment might impact them
in society.
People with disabilities invented the social model because they have first-hand
experience with how their impairment affects them. Because it aided in the
creation of the 2010 equality act. The primary objective of the model was to clarify
that "disability is caused by the way society is organised, rather than by a person's
impairment or difference. It looks at ways of removing barriers that restrict life
choices for disabled people." (Quoted from disabilitynottinghamshire.org.uk). The
primary goals of the model's development were to eliminate any hurdles that
hindered the integration of disabled persons into society as a whole and to lessen
the amount of prejudice, discrimination, and stereotyping that existed among
society's citizens. Due to its emphasis on the idea that a disability is something an
individual feels and should be supported and cared for rather than being told they
need to be fixed, the social model is currently recognised as the most popular
model to employ when reflecting and thinking about a disability. A person with a
disability may experience unpleasant experiences from the past, such as exclusion,
separation, isolation, etc. if they are not given assistance to meet their own
requirements.
Overall, although they differ in many aspects, the social and medical models are
both valuable to use. The social model is more practical nowadays because the
medical model is not always the best one to engage in treating an individual. The
social model's greater emphasis on the individual is the primary factor in my
opinion that it is more successful (needs, support, care, help). Both models will not
complement one another effectively because they have different focuses and
worldviews that will affect how people perceive them. However, even though I
believe the creation of both models has had an impact on altering society's
perceptions, assisting society in realising the need to accept those with disabilities,
and increasing society's knowledge of how they have impacted people's lives, The
2010 equality act, a law that protects nine traits, was created because of the
findings of the medical model that was created. The social model can be
emotionally damaging because people may not change their negative views, which
could make life in society more challenging for the person with the disability and
may also impose restrictions on their ability to access things like nature or their
own homes. However, both models are harmful in their own ways. The medical
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one is physically harmful because it aims to fix the individual (wheelchair use
living in a house with stairs).
Rebecca
Issue Social Model Medical Model
Transport Transport is and should be To ensure that Rebecca can attend
provided for everyone, class and receive safe
especially the younger transportation that will not result
generations. A variety of in more harm, it is crucial to
variables, such as location and arrange for specific transportation.
financial situation, could make Rebecca has a wheelchair, so the
getting to school difficult for variety of transportation options
individuals like Rebecca. As she may use to get to school is
Rebecca is required to use a limited. However, this might
wheelchair. It is also important create problems, particularly if the
that all transportation types are transportation is unaffordable.
safe for service users that are
required to use a wheelchair.
Lack of wheelchair accessibility
will make it difficult for
students to attend class and will
have an adverse effect on their
ability to learn.
At Home The social model would make it To ensure Rebecca can live
clear to others that Rebecca's independently in her house
home must be modified for her without being constrained or
personal needs, not just to losing her dignity, her home will
accommodate her physical be modified so it is secure for her.
disability. I am aware from the Her parents and the experts who
case study that the little girl's are supporting and caring for her
home is inadequate for her needs will assist her in
physical disability, thus she and understanding the adjustments that
her family should receive must be made to ensure that her
assistance in relocating or physical impairment is not
renovating the house to better impacted.
suit their needs. The primary
aspect of the case study that
demonstrates the need for
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