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Models of Disability: Why the Social Model is Better

Hello, my name is Anja, and I am blind. If you saw me out in the world, walking with my white cane, or checking the time with the screen reader on my phone, you would probably figure that out.  If I wanted to, I could choose to let you believe that I am a “normal” sighted college student. I am writing this piece to talk about how you and I see people with disabilities, and how we should see them. There are two ways we currently see disability. One is the medical model, a societal approach to disability that emphasizes the individual as the reason for the “problem” of disability. As I will do my best to explain, I strongly believe that the other option - the social model - is a better way to look at disability, because it focuses on the systemic barriers that impact people with disabilities, rather than assuming the individual is the problem.

The rest of Anja's article can be found in our Newsletter. EMAIL US or check out our WEBSITE to read the newsletter.