Disability and inequality

Overview

Medical model of disability, social model of disability and barrier that disables someone with a mobility impairment.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   State the medical model of disability.

   Model answer

   It treats disability as an individual's physical or mental impairment, to be treated or cured by professionals.

2. 2

   State the social model of disability.

   Model answer

   It treats disability as the disadvantage created by a society organised around non-disabled people, rather than by impairment itself.

3. 3

   Give one criticism of the social model of disability.

   Model answer

   Critics argue it understates the pain and limitation some impairments impose whatever barriers society removes.

4. 4

   Give an example of a barrier that disables someone with a mobility impairment.

   Model answer

   A building reachable only by steps prevents access that a ramp or lift would allow.

5. 5

   Give one piece of evidence of disability inequality in employment.

   Model answer

   Disabled people have a substantially lower employment rate than non-disabled people and lower average pay when in work.

6. 6

   Explain how disability and poverty reinforce each other.

   Model answer

   Impairment raises the cost of daily living and reduces earning capacity, while poverty worsens health and limits access to adaptations and support.

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