Medical Model
Disability is treated as a biological problem that diminishes quality of life and needs to be treated with professional medical
... [Show More] care.
Social Model
Disability (to a large extent) is an avoidable condition caused by poor design. (Direct response to Medical Model)
Functional Solutions Model
Seeks out solutions for eradicating limitations through advancements in technology/methodology. (Typically the approach of businesses selling accessibility solutions.)
Social Identity or Cultural Affiliation Model
Developed sense of identity through consorting with others who share similarities
Charity or Tragedy Model
Treats disabilities as unfortunate or tragic conditions worthy of special treatment
Medical Model (Strengths)
Helps guide important treatment decisions for clinically curing or providing ways to manage the conditions.
Medical Model (Weaknesses)
Overlooks impact of design decisions, requirement to prove disability, and designates disability as characteristic of individual
Social Model (Strengths)
Makes it clear that barriers and challenges experienced by people with disabilities are not inevitable, nor are they exclusively a characteristic of the individual's "broken" body.
Social Model (Weaknesses)
Can de-emphasize the physical reality of a disability too much (see Social Identity Model).
Functional Solutions Model (Strengths)
Focuses on results without getting hung up on theoretical/political questions
Functional Solutions Model (Weaknesses)
Can result in missing broader problems (?)
Social Identity or Cultural Affiliation Model (Strengths)
Self-acceptance, empowerment, and political strength
Social Identity or Cultural Affiliation Model (Weaknesses)
Partly a result from exclusion in society
Charity or Tragedy Model (Strengths)
Can create a genuine sense of empathy and inspire people to help
Charity or Tragedy Model (Weaknesses)
Can be offensive and encourage unequal social/political relationship
Visual Disabilities
Colorblindness, blindness, and low vision/partial vision
Auditory Disabilities
Deafness, hard-of-hearing
Deafblindness
Self-explanatory
Mobility, Flexibility, and Body Structure Disabilities
Manual dexterity/fine motor control, ambulation, muscle fatigue, body size, and body shape and form
Cognitive Disabilities
Intellectual, memory, reading, math comprehension, attention deficit, learning, dyslexia, language, autism
Speech Disabilities
No speech and articulation
Seizure Disabilities
Photosensitive and general seizure disorders
Psychological/Psychiatric Disabilities
Social, emotional, and behavioral
Multiple/Compound Disabilities
Self-explanatory
Economic Model
Defines disability by a person's inability to participate in work. Assesses productivity and economic consequences to both employee and employer and state welfare payments. Directly related to Charity/Tragedy Model. [Show Less]