Social Model vs. Medical Model
The field of disability services in postsecondary institutions is undergoing a paradigm shift. In the past, the focus was on the person's disability and what was wrong with the person. Now, the focus is on figuring out how the environment is limiting, eliminating the blame from the person. Under this new model, disability is viewed just as one type of diversity. The evolution from the disability medical model to a social model requires placing an intentional focus on creating a barrier free environment where everyone can participate and thrive. The shift from a disability medical model to a social model places equal responsibility on all educators in ensuring an accessible learning environment for everyone including students with disabilities. Following the social model puts emphasis on the limitations of the environment rather than the limitations of the student caused by his/her disability.
The field of disability services in postsecondary institutions is undergoing a paradigm shift. In the past, the focus was on the person's disability and what was wrong with the person. Now, the focus is on figuring out how the environment is limiting, eliminating the blame from the person. Under this new model, disability is viewed just as one type of diversity. The evolution from the disability medical model to a social model requires placing an intentional focus on creating a barrier free environment where everyone can participate and thrive. The shift from a disability medical model to a social model places equal responsibility on all educators in ensuring an accessible learning environment for everyone including students with disabilities. Following the social model puts emphasis on the limitations of the environment rather than the limitations of the student caused by his/her disability.
Under the Social Model, ideally, individual accommodations would not be necessary because the environment would already be accessible. However, we are far from this ideal, so the ADA serves as a mechanism to guarantee an accessible environment. Colleges have been working to make this paradigm shift through ongoing efforts in working towards creating an accessible environment. One example is offering universal design faculty fellowships to promote the social model concept. These fellowships can assist faculty in developing their content following the universal design principles. The goal is that these faculty fellows can then impart their knowledge to other faculty. Although universal design, of course, does not 100% eliminate the need for individualized accommodations, it greatly supports students and diminishes the need for many of the individually-tailored accommodations.
Under the Social Model, ideally, individual accommodations would not be necessary because the environment would already be accessible. However, we are far from this ideal, so the ADA serves as a mechanism to guarantee an accessible environment. Colleges have been working to make this paradigm shift through ongoing efforts in working towards creating an accessible environment. One example is offering universal design faculty fellowships to promote the social model concept. These fellowships can assist faculty in developing their content following the universal design principles. The goal is that these faculty fellows can then impart their knowledge to other faculty. Although universal design, of course, does not 100% eliminate the need for individualized accommodations, it greatly supports students and diminishes the need for many of the individually-tailored accommodations.
This illustrative video explains the difference between the medical model and the social model.
