laurathistle
04-30-2008, 08:21 PM
I know a lot of people on these boards work at special needs camps. After talking with some people on here and outwith the boards I realised that many of these people don't work with people with additional support needs outwith camp. I am currently doing a BA in supporting and managing learning needs and thought I would share some of my work with you in the hope that it might be of some use to people.
Professional people working with people who have learning difficulties and/or disability often refer to two models of disability. The Social Model and the Medical Model.
The use of the word ‘disability’ refers and relates to physical disability or learning disability.
The Medical Model considers the persons disability to be the result of a physical condition or injury affecting a person’s body. This may reduce the person’s quality of life and often causes the person to be at a disadvantage to people not afflicted with the same illness. If health care professionals are involved then their care will be geared towards identifying and either curing or managing the condition. I think that people with disability grouped under the Medical Model are treated with compassion by society. I think if people can see a disability like a person with a walking stick, walking frame or wheelchair or even someone (like me!) who wears glasses they are much more likely to accept it and treat it as being ‘normal’. This is also reflected by the time, money and resources given to health care and related in an attempt to improve the lives of affected people.
The Social Model considers that while some people have psychological and physical differences, this is just a part of the whole person,) not who the person is. People with disabilities have to overcome obstructions (put in place by society) which do not take into account their specific individual needs. These barriers exist in all aspects of life. Society often does not accept this type of disability and people often pity them look for a ‘cure’ therefore people with disability often encounter negative attitudes of ignorant people. I think that the obstacles put in place by others are often more of a hindrance than the actual disability itself. With the Social Model, people with a recognised disability are seen as having the same wants, needs and objectives as those without a disability. Equal rights along with the correct amount of support will allow people with disability to make informed choices allowing them to live their life to the fullest and reach their potential.
Professional people working with people who have learning difficulties and/or disability often refer to two models of disability. The Social Model and the Medical Model.
The use of the word ‘disability’ refers and relates to physical disability or learning disability.
The Medical Model considers the persons disability to be the result of a physical condition or injury affecting a person’s body. This may reduce the person’s quality of life and often causes the person to be at a disadvantage to people not afflicted with the same illness. If health care professionals are involved then their care will be geared towards identifying and either curing or managing the condition. I think that people with disability grouped under the Medical Model are treated with compassion by society. I think if people can see a disability like a person with a walking stick, walking frame or wheelchair or even someone (like me!) who wears glasses they are much more likely to accept it and treat it as being ‘normal’. This is also reflected by the time, money and resources given to health care and related in an attempt to improve the lives of affected people.
The Social Model considers that while some people have psychological and physical differences, this is just a part of the whole person,) not who the person is. People with disabilities have to overcome obstructions (put in place by society) which do not take into account their specific individual needs. These barriers exist in all aspects of life. Society often does not accept this type of disability and people often pity them look for a ‘cure’ therefore people with disability often encounter negative attitudes of ignorant people. I think that the obstacles put in place by others are often more of a hindrance than the actual disability itself. With the Social Model, people with a recognised disability are seen as having the same wants, needs and objectives as those without a disability. Equal rights along with the correct amount of support will allow people with disability to make informed choices allowing them to live their life to the fullest and reach their potential.