Sociology Plus
Disability and Impairment Definition
The study of disability and impairment in sociology emerged from an initial focus on stigma, drawing upon symbolic interactionism concepts related to identities such as ‘discredited’ and ‘discreditable’. While medical sociology historically neglected disability research, this changed in the 1980s and 1990s with the rise of the disability movement and the demand for social rights. This shift facilitated the development of the social model of disability, which posits that disability is not merely a physical dysfunction but rather a social construction resulting from societal processes and environmental barriers.
Theoretical Models
The debate surrounding disability is often framed by contrasting models: the medical model and the social model. The medical model traditionally focuses exclusively on the physical aspects of impairment, viewing it as an individual pathology, whereas the social model shifts the focus to how social structures, exclusion, and environmental arrangements create disability. This distinction is crucial: impairment refers to the physical or bodily limitation resulting from an injury or condition, while disability refers to the social restrictions, discrimination, and lack of access that limit an individual’s participation in society.
The biopsychosocial model attempts to synthesise these perspectives by analysing the interaction between the individual and their physical, social, and psychological environment. This framework acknowledges that impairment leads to functional limitations, which are then compounded or mitigated by social context.
The Social Construction of Disability
Disability is understood as a social construction produced by societal beliefs, practices, institutions, and environments rather than being solely determined by biology. This perspective highlights that disability is often imposed through social arrangements, leading to experiences of exclusion and marginalisation. Furthermore, concepts like ‘able-ism’ are critiqued for reinforcing exclusionary social functions based on dominant cultural values concerning achievement and physical dexterity.
The Disability Movement and Activism
The disability movement was instrumental in challenging the medical model by advocating for the social model. Organisations such as the Union of Physically Impaired Against Segregation (UPIAS) were influential in promoting this distinction, arguing that society, rather than individual impairment, is responsible for disabling people through isolation and exclusion. This approach emphasises self-determination, positioning disabled individuals as experts on their own experiences and challenging external barriers.
Implications for Access
The emphasis on the social model dictates that removing barriers—whether physical, attitudinal, or institutional—is fundamental to addressing disability. Discrimination and lack of access are central components of the experience of disability. Therefore, understanding disability requires recognising that environmental factors, rather than individual deficits, dictate participation and opportunity.