Legislation and Rights

What is Disability?

By Ida Petretta

There is no single definition of disability.

The Equality Act (2010)Section 6 (1) defines disability as:

“(1) A person (P) has a disability if—

(a) P has a physical or mental impairment, and

(b) the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on P’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.”

(Source:  The Equality Act 2010 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents )

Medical Model

-           This definition of disability provided by the Equality Act (2010) may be seen as a Medical Model definition of disability where ‘P’(the person) is defined by his/her medical condition.

-           The Medical Model is an approach whereby the disabled person ought to adapt to fit into the world as it is.

 “...theimpairment is focused on, rather than the needs of the person. The power to change disabled people seems to lie with the medical and associated professions, with their talk of cures, normalisation and science”.

(Source: http://www.bfi.org.uk/education/teaching/disability/thinking/medical.html )

(Further information:   http://www.open.ac.uk/inclusiveteaching/pages/understanding-and-awareness/medical-model.php )

Social Model

-           Another approach to the definition of disability is provided by the Social Model

-           The Social Model was developed over 30 years ago by a group of disabled people reacting to the Medical Model.

-           It  is preferred approach by the Disabled People’s Movement

-           The Social Model shifts the focus from the individual to society arguing that:

“...disabled people’s problems are not caused by their body, mind or learning ability but by the society in which they live.  The way in which buildings and transport are designed or education, hospitals...”

(Source: http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/People%20and%20Living/equality/eddp/guidance/approaches.aspx )

It is important to note, however, there is no fixed single definition of what is a ‘Medical Model’ approach’ / ‘Social Model’ approach. Further, some definitions of disability encompass more than one approach.

We want to hear your views!

-           Do these approaches reflect your experience of disability?

-           What is your definition of disability?

Please Comment below...