Social Model of Disability

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Social model of disability The social model of disability is civil right base approach to disability; it was developed by disability people in the 80s and 90s. This model focuses on challenging and removing the barriers in front of disable people, barriers prevent disabled people from living full and active lives These barriers including: • Buildings are built that disabled people cannot get into. • Information is produced in ways that disabled people cannot benefit from. • Stereotyping disabled people prevent us from having the same opportunities as non-disabled people. • Special services are created that keep disabled people segregated and cut off from everybody else. Social model of disability is exciting because it shows how to give equality to disable people • Challenging stereotypes and assumptions. • By giving disabled people full civil rights under law. • Creating buildings that are accessible. • Producing information in accessible formats • Ending segregated services. • Allowing disabled people to do things for themselves The social model has been developed by disabled people. In their view disability is caused by the barriers that exist within society and the way society is organised, which discriminates against people with impairments and excludes them from involvement and participation, rather than by a person’s impairment or difference. The social model of disability looks at ways of removing barriers that restrict life choices for disabled people. When barriers are removed, disabled people can be independent and equal in society, with choice and control over their own lives. Disabled people developed the social model of disability because the traditional medical model did not explain their personal experience of disability or help to develop more inclusive ways of living. It was devised as a direct challenge to the
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