The Social Model of Disability
The social model of disability is fundamental to disability equality. It is important to recognise the distinction between the medical model of disability, which describes disability as the individual's 'problem' and the social model of disability which describes individuals with impairments who are limited by their external environment.
The social model approach has influenced a rights-based view of equality for disabled people and represents the key to understanding and addressing disability equality, the aim of which is to understand and dismantle the barriers which exclude and limit the life chances of disabled people.
Social Model of Disability Factsheet - PDF
Social Model of Disability Factsheet - RTF
Useful organisations:
British Council of Disabled People
National Centre for Independent Living
