Disability
Sociology: AQA A Level, topic 5.1.3
The Social Construction of Disability
The two main models of disability are the biomedical model and the social model. Those with disabilities are often stigmatised resulting in a stigmatised identity.
Definitions
- Disability can be defined as a physical or mental impairment, constituting a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal daily activities.
- An impairment is defined as a loss, limitation or difference of functioning of the mind or body, on a long-term or permanent basis that is either present at birth or occurs through injury or disease.
The biomedical model of disability
- The biomedical model views disability as a form of abnormality.
- Those with disabilities are seen as in need of treatment and rehabilitation in order to ‘normalise’ them, that is, make them like people who do not have such impairments.
The social model of disability
- The social models sees disability as socially constructed.
- Tom Shakespeare suggests that disability is more to do with the attitudes of society than with the state of people’s bodies.
- Such attitudes lead to stigmatisation and discrimination towards groups are not see to fit the society’s view of what is normal.
Stigmatised identities
- Media representations of disability are often linked to behaviours that society considers unacceptable.
- Those with disabilities are often stigmatised resulting in a stigmatised identity.
- Stigmatised identities can often lead to prejudice and discrimination, such as in employment or patronising and abusive attitudes from others.