Today’s post by Surya Joseph, delves into the various models through which society perceives disability and how that plays a big role in empowering or disempowering the disabled. She described the vast differences in the approaches through the examples of India and the U.S.
___________________________________________________________________________
Raised in India, I viewed disability as a glaring deficit, rendering individuals incapable of leading fulfilling lives. Public spaces were often inaccessible, healthcare services lacking, education below par, employment opportunities scarce, and support systems inadequate. Differently-abled individuals seemed destined to lead substandard lives, drenched in pity or as objects against whom normal people could measure their privilege.
However, my perspective underwent a profound transformation during my visit to the USA as a young adult. I was struck by numerous cultural differences, one of which was my inability to view disabled individuals differently. In the USA, they were simply ordinary people going about their daily routines, highlighting how much easier it was for differently-abled individuals to live independently and fully in a system that made all facilities accessible to everyone. I came to realize that it was not the differently-abled who were disabled, it was our society that disabled them.
What caused such a drastic change in my mental makeup? Thinking back, I realize that it seemed like I had travelled through a portal that carried me from a world based on the medical and charity models of disability to a new world expounding the social and rights-based models of disability.
The medical model of disability has historically shaped global thinking, legislation, and policy. In this model, medical professionals defined normal in terms of biology and ability. Disabled people were viewed as dependants that needed “fixing”. Emphasis was placed on the disability rather than the systems and support structures needed to lead complete lives. This led to social degradation in the way people viewed the disabled and laws were framed. For example, in India, one of the conditions under which a foetus may be aborted is if it is seriously handicapped with physical or mental abnormalities. Under such laws, even the differently-abled unborn are viewed as sub-human.
The charity model portrays individuals with disabilities as victims and unproductive members of society, dependent on charity and benevolence rather than equal opportunities. Victims are excluded from productive society and treated as passive recipients of charity. This can provide support but fosters a sense of dependency ultimately diminishing the potential economic contributions of both the dependent person and their caregiver.
The social model represents a significant paradigm shift from the earlier models. It aims to make society inclusive and breaks barriers that are social, institutional, economic, and political. Disability is viewed as a result of the environment and societal structures that fail to accommodate diverse needs and the disabled are viewed as differently-abled. It emphasizes inclusivity, accessibility, and equal opportunities.
The rights-based model builds on the social model and focuses on equity and rights. It is based on the principle that human rights are unalienable rights that are applicable and indivisible. In this approach, differently-abled people are viewed as the central actors in their own lives, as decision-makers, citizens, and rights-holders.
As awareness on the differently-abled shifts, from the entrenched medical to the rights-based model, developing nations too must change in thinking, attitudes, policy-making and systems towards the differently-abled. Disability can be viewed through many lenses. Disability intersecting with gender, race, class, age. Disability as a function of time and place, for example, an able senior citizen feeling disabled in the digital world. In truth, the differently-abled are not disabled; it is our mindset that remains disabled. Nature has crafted each person uniquely, emphasizing that there is no standard “perfect” human being. Each person’s existence and contribution to society is inherently unique.
In the end, the only true disability in life is one’s attitude.
This post is a part of “International Day of Persons with Disability” blog hop hosted by Sakshi Varma – Tripleamommy. #IDPD2023Bloghop. Access all posts of this blog hop at Championing Diversity, Uniting Voices: Commemorating IDPD Together
_______________________________________________________________
Thanks for reading this post. Please like, comment and share!
Regards, Sakshi aka tripleamommy
You can find me at:
Blog: https://tripleamommy.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tripleamommmy
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/tripleamommmy/
FB page: https://www.facebook.com/Tripleamommy-2101887313189940
Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/tripleamommmy/
Do consider buying my book “Raising Capable Children” that shares hundreds of tips and ideas on bringing up confident children. See below for buying options.
India – Amazon: https://amzn.to/3j3QSrx ; Flipkart: https://www.flipkart.com/raising-capable-children/p/itm2134c13e7108f?pid=9789390267033
For US and UK- https://www.amazon.com/dp/939026703X ; https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/939026703X
[…] Day 13, 13th December. Today’s post by Surya Joseph, delves into the various models through which society perceives disability and how that plays a big role in empowering or disempowering the disabled. She described the vast differences in the approaches through the examples of India and the U.S. Read her post here Shifting perspectives: from Disabled to Differently-Abled […]
Very pertinent points. The way that a senior citizen can feel disabled in today’s digital world especially in the cities is on the money. It’s a story we see again and again.
This post outlining the different perspectives from which we view and evaluate a disabled person is an eye-opener Surya. It sensitizes us to a need to change our perspective when it comes to disability, only with a change in our POV can we enable truly. It is not a glitch in the person but in the system which fails to provide for everyone.
I completely agree, each person is unique. We need to value that unique ability. And also not see the barriers, but the ability to do something different. We need more posts like yours to spread awareness about varied viewpoints and create an inclusive environment.
Well encapsulated – there are many parts of the world where living with a disability immediately marks you out in the minds of others as a person who lacks agency and control over his/her life and is an “unproductive” member of society. The rights based model is an eye-opening transition – in such that it requires a mental shift of perspective and challenging one’s own biases. It requires us to acknowledge that every individual can feel empowered if we create an environment that allows people to be active agents of their own lives.
While I Intuitively knew the different attitudes, I understood these different models properly for the first time. Long way to get to the rights based model in our country but I hope we will get there.
An honest reflection on the personal transformations needed. While we advocate for the policy and services, each one of us have a responsibility to also challenge our own biases- conscious or unconscious
Beautifully written with a depth about the medical , social and charity models as the medical model doesn’t define the individual capabilities of the differently abled person..inspiring 👏
Your insightful post beautifully captures the transformative journey from perceiving disability as a deficit to embracing the empowering concepts of differently-abled individuals. Your vivid experiences in India and the U.S. highlight the profound impact of shifting from medical and charity models to the social and rights-based models. Your call for a change in mindset, attitudes, and societal structures is compelling. Thank you for shedding light on this crucial perspective shift that promotes inclusivity and equality.
I guess changing your attitude for the good should be for everyone but for this article, yes, we can put our focus on making sure we change for the disabled ones. Its such a blessing for that some countries have already started making this kind of awareness more for the public so that more would know how to act around disabled people.
Thanks for highlighting the different known models of disability. Often in our society, disability is only seen through the medical lens.
Very beautifully penned. It is so true, a matter of perspective really. We still have a long way to go in our country but hopefully the journey has started.
the various models of disabilities clearly bring out a 360 degree view of the term and how the conversations, policies, mindsets and behaviours change around it. This was a brain opener for me.
Amazing article showcasing the different exsisting models of a disabled individual..gives aclear cut idea that a person shouldn’t be judged incapable upon a diagonosis or a medical model.The individual will be much more efficient
Amazing article. I got the opportunity to read about it during the Special ed course. Happy to refresh.
Basics to start with if you are a professional that works with children/persons with disability, this is the most important thing to start with to know how to approach the person. and that there is nothing wrong with the person with disability, everything can workout if the society is willing for it to work out. You have in an amazing way explained this. Kudos to you!!