, Ensure your success with us.. Write a critical essay on the
different theoretical models applied to people with disabilities
and relate how the deaf community can be regarded as an
example of a marginalized identity.
Theoretical Models of Disability and the Deaf Community as
a Marginalized Identity
Disability studies encompass a range of theoretical models that
seek to explain the experiences and societal perceptions of
individuals with disabilities. These models include the medical
model, the social model, the cultural model, and the minority
group model. Each provides unique insights into the lived
experiences of people with disabilities, particularly the deaf
community, which exemplifies a marginalized identity. This
essay critically examines these theoretical frameworks and
explores how they apply to the deaf community.
1. The Medical Model
The medical model views disability primarily as a defect or
impairment located within the individual. It emphasizes
diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, framing disability in
terms of a deficiency that needs to be fixed. This model has been
criticized for its reductionist perspective, which overlooks the