MODELS OF

DISABILITY
1. MORAL/
RELIGIOUS MODEL
Disability is viewed as Treats disability as a
having something to do blessing or curse.
with a person's or their Believes that disability is
family's morals, actions, permanent.
thoughts, and karma.

Based on science and 2. THE BIOMEDICAL/

facts.
INDIVIDUAL MODEL
Disability needs
assessment and
fixing.
3. THE FUNCTIONAL/
REHABILITATION MODEL
The biomedical and
functional models view
PWD as having physical,
physiological, or
cognitive impairments.
defines disability as the result
of a medical condition, disease,
or trauma that can impair a
person's ability to operate in
either a physiological or
cognitive way.
Needs to undergo
rehabilitative
intervention.
Based on science and
facts.

4. THE SOCIAL MODEL

.These obstacles may The social model suggests that
be physical or come people are disabled by barriers in
from how people society, not their impairment or
perceive difference. difference.

5. RIGHTS-BASED MODEL
The Rights-Based Model
places a focus on the rights
that instructors, staff, and
students with disabilities have
in any setting of education or
work.
Believes that all forms of
disability should be
respected and promoted
because they are a
natural component of
human variety.