P2 Describe models of disability
The medical model of disability describes the term disability as being the result of how society is
organised and how society views these individuals. People who are disabled are classed as this due
to their impairments, symptoms and diferences from others. It is considered that their
ailments/symptoms can be fied, changed or managed through treatments. The medical model of
disability identifes what is wrong with the person and provides and an understanding of how
disabled people are treated by society. The model eiplains the way people are stereotyped or
judged for being disabled but does not state what their individual needs are. A disabled person is
considered to be defective and diferent to others in society by this model. These individuals can be
described to be in a wheelchair, have a loss of vision and or hearing, not be able to cope with
everyday life, in need of help from others, in need of a doctor or treatment and have special needs.
This is a negative way to describe disabled people. The medical model doesn’t describe the
eiperiences that disable people face in society and in health and social care services. Everyone in
society needs health professionals but it is thought that disabled people rely on them more. Many
health and social care professionals believe that they know what is best for a patient. This can mean
that they overlook disabled patients’ thoughts and feelings or do not take them into consideration.
This could mean that professionals may not be treat disabled patients with respect or not listen to
their views and opinions. The model would suggest that disabled people will eiperience low
eipectations from others as a result of stereotypes which is why health professionals can overlook
them. As a result of this disabled people may lose their independence, freedom, decision making
powers and their choice because other people like health professionals are making their decisions
for them. For eiample, a person who has lost their hearing or vision would be classed as disabled.
They would need help from other people in order to carry out daily functions. They may need
support from health professionals like counsellors to help them with the mental impacts of their
disability. They may also fnd that people view them as negative members of society as they need
more support from others. (mdpag 2018).
The medical model of disability will inform services and provision about the needs of individuals with
disabilities. For eiample, transport services will be informed about people with disabilities needs by
adapting provision in order to enable disabled people access to the service. This can include having
ramps to get on and of of trains as well as having disabled toilet services at each carriage. In school
settings children with disabilities will be supported. They can have specialist teachers or learning
support staf to help them achieve their academic potential. This can help them throughout their
school life in preparation for their qualifcations. They may have support in the classroom to help
them focus and concentrate as well as provide one on one support to help them understand
concepts and information. ealth care services will also be informed about the needs of those with
disabilities as a result of the medical approach. The services will put in place provision in order to
meet their needs such as have staf who can use sign language. They will have disabled access
services, make accommodations for long appointments if an individual has learning disabilities and
use methods to help individuals such as braille. Over all, services and provision will be informed as
the model encourages these services to ensure that symptoms of disabilities are managed.
(ombudsman 2018).
The medical model of disability describes the term disability as being the result of how society is
organised and how society views these individuals. People who are disabled are classed as this due
to their impairments, symptoms and diferences from others. It is considered that their
ailments/symptoms can be fied, changed or managed through treatments. The medical model of
disability identifes what is wrong with the person and provides and an understanding of how
disabled people are treated by society. The model eiplains the way people are stereotyped or
judged for being disabled but does not state what their individual needs are. A disabled person is
considered to be defective and diferent to others in society by this model. These individuals can be
described to be in a wheelchair, have a loss of vision and or hearing, not be able to cope with
everyday life, in need of help from others, in need of a doctor or treatment and have special needs.
This is a negative way to describe disabled people. The medical model doesn’t describe the
eiperiences that disable people face in society and in health and social care services. Everyone in
society needs health professionals but it is thought that disabled people rely on them more. Many
health and social care professionals believe that they know what is best for a patient. This can mean
that they overlook disabled patients’ thoughts and feelings or do not take them into consideration.
This could mean that professionals may not be treat disabled patients with respect or not listen to
their views and opinions. The model would suggest that disabled people will eiperience low
eipectations from others as a result of stereotypes which is why health professionals can overlook
them. As a result of this disabled people may lose their independence, freedom, decision making
powers and their choice because other people like health professionals are making their decisions
for them. For eiample, a person who has lost their hearing or vision would be classed as disabled.
They would need help from other people in order to carry out daily functions. They may need
support from health professionals like counsellors to help them with the mental impacts of their
disability. They may also fnd that people view them as negative members of society as they need
more support from others. (mdpag 2018).
The medical model of disability will inform services and provision about the needs of individuals with
disabilities. For eiample, transport services will be informed about people with disabilities needs by
adapting provision in order to enable disabled people access to the service. This can include having
ramps to get on and of of trains as well as having disabled toilet services at each carriage. In school
settings children with disabilities will be supported. They can have specialist teachers or learning
support staf to help them achieve their academic potential. This can help them throughout their
school life in preparation for their qualifcations. They may have support in the classroom to help
them focus and concentrate as well as provide one on one support to help them understand
concepts and information. ealth care services will also be informed about the needs of those with
disabilities as a result of the medical approach. The services will put in place provision in order to
meet their needs such as have staf who can use sign language. They will have disabled access
services, make accommodations for long appointments if an individual has learning disabilities and
use methods to help individuals such as braille. Over all, services and provision will be informed as
the model encourages these services to ensure that symptoms of disabilities are managed.
(ombudsman 2018).
