IAAP CPACC MASTER STUDY NOTES 2026
HIGH SCORE PRACTICE SOLVED
● What is the medical theoretical model of disability? Answer: Viewing
disability in terms of biological impairments; a problem caused by
genetic disorders, disease, trauma or other health conditions. Disability
is treated as a biological problem that diminishes quality of life and
needs to be treated with professional medical care
● What are the strengths of the medical theoretical model of disability?
(2) Answer: 1. Acknowledges that there is a biological condition placing
individuals with disabilities at a disadvantage
2. Creates a set of clearly-defined biological criteria for medical
treatment and government assistance
● What are the weaknesses of the medical theoretical model of
disability? (4) Answer: 1. Overlooks the impact of the social
environment on a person with a disability
2. Makes disability a characteristic, labeling the person as different from
the rest of the population
3. Excludes those with disabilities who do not fit into the defined
criteria, meaning they might not be able to receive the care and benefits
they need
4. Makes people have to prove their disability in order to receive the
necessary care and benefits
,● What is the social theoretical model of disability? Answer: Viewing
disability as an avoidable condition caused by poor design in society.
Acknowledges there is a medical or biological component, while
stressing more inclusive designs could remove barriers for people with
disabilities.
● What are the strengths of the social theoretical model of disability? (2)
Answer: 1. Empowers individuals with disabilities by removing the
stigma; assumes society will create an inclusive environment, not that
people with disabilities need to accept a lower quality of life
2. Empowers designers of physical and virtual environments to think
about usability for everyone, resulting in better designs overall
● What are the weaknesses of the social theoretical model of disability?
(1) Answer: 1. Ignores the physical reality of having a disability;
accepting and owning one's disability can be healthy, both emotionally
and psychologically
● What is the functional solutions theoretical model of disability?
Answer: Viewing disability as a series of impairments or limitations and
the solutions to eradicate or reduce these limitations through technology
or methodology
● What are the strengths of the functional solutions theoretical model of
disability? (1) Answer: 1. Focuses on ideas, technologies, and
, innovations which benefit people with disabilities and improve their
lives
● What are the weaknesses of the functional solutions theoretical model
of disability? (1) Answer: 1. Misses opportunities to address larger social
context which might make a solution obsolete because it focuses too
much on creating practical technological solutions
● What is the social identity or cultural affiliation theoretical model of
disability? Answer: Viewing disability as a personal identity through
communicating with others who share similar life experiences based on
their disability; can be particularly strong among people are deaf and use
sign language
● What are the strengths of the social identity or cultural affiliation
theoretical model of disability? (2) Answer: 1. Accepts the disability as
an important part of one's emotional and psychological well-being
2. Gains political strength through alliances and advocacy networks
● What are the weaknesses of the social identity or cultural affiliation
theoretical model of disability? (2) Answer: 1. Does not serve as a useful
basis for technical definitions of disability because groups of people
with different disabilities or no disabilities might consider themselves
part of the same social group
2. May be a result of feeling excluded from the rest of society
HIGH SCORE PRACTICE SOLVED
● What is the medical theoretical model of disability? Answer: Viewing
disability in terms of biological impairments; a problem caused by
genetic disorders, disease, trauma or other health conditions. Disability
is treated as a biological problem that diminishes quality of life and
needs to be treated with professional medical care
● What are the strengths of the medical theoretical model of disability?
(2) Answer: 1. Acknowledges that there is a biological condition placing
individuals with disabilities at a disadvantage
2. Creates a set of clearly-defined biological criteria for medical
treatment and government assistance
● What are the weaknesses of the medical theoretical model of
disability? (4) Answer: 1. Overlooks the impact of the social
environment on a person with a disability
2. Makes disability a characteristic, labeling the person as different from
the rest of the population
3. Excludes those with disabilities who do not fit into the defined
criteria, meaning they might not be able to receive the care and benefits
they need
4. Makes people have to prove their disability in order to receive the
necessary care and benefits
,● What is the social theoretical model of disability? Answer: Viewing
disability as an avoidable condition caused by poor design in society.
Acknowledges there is a medical or biological component, while
stressing more inclusive designs could remove barriers for people with
disabilities.
● What are the strengths of the social theoretical model of disability? (2)
Answer: 1. Empowers individuals with disabilities by removing the
stigma; assumes society will create an inclusive environment, not that
people with disabilities need to accept a lower quality of life
2. Empowers designers of physical and virtual environments to think
about usability for everyone, resulting in better designs overall
● What are the weaknesses of the social theoretical model of disability?
(1) Answer: 1. Ignores the physical reality of having a disability;
accepting and owning one's disability can be healthy, both emotionally
and psychologically
● What is the functional solutions theoretical model of disability?
Answer: Viewing disability as a series of impairments or limitations and
the solutions to eradicate or reduce these limitations through technology
or methodology
● What are the strengths of the functional solutions theoretical model of
disability? (1) Answer: 1. Focuses on ideas, technologies, and
, innovations which benefit people with disabilities and improve their
lives
● What are the weaknesses of the functional solutions theoretical model
of disability? (1) Answer: 1. Misses opportunities to address larger social
context which might make a solution obsolete because it focuses too
much on creating practical technological solutions
● What is the social identity or cultural affiliation theoretical model of
disability? Answer: Viewing disability as a personal identity through
communicating with others who share similar life experiences based on
their disability; can be particularly strong among people are deaf and use
sign language
● What are the strengths of the social identity or cultural affiliation
theoretical model of disability? (2) Answer: 1. Accepts the disability as
an important part of one's emotional and psychological well-being
2. Gains political strength through alliances and advocacy networks
● What are the weaknesses of the social identity or cultural affiliation
theoretical model of disability? (2) Answer: 1. Does not serve as a useful
basis for technical definitions of disability because groups of people
with different disabilities or no disabilities might consider themselves
part of the same social group
2. May be a result of feeling excluded from the rest of society
