What is The Social Model of Disability?

The Social Model of Disability suggests that it is society’s responsibility to accommodate disabled people rather than exclude them because of their needs. This means that people who are not disabled can actively help overcome ableist systems rather than passively pitying disabled people or trying to ‘cure’ all disability. It is important to note that having needs is not something exclusive to disability- we all rely on each other for food, travel, electricity… it’s just that for most people their needs are automatically met!

Title reads 'The Reali-tea' Subtitle 'Ableism needs fixing, not disabled people'. Underneath this are the words 'We need to change:' with two options, 'disabled people', which is crossed out with a red line and cross, or 'society' which has a green
Title reads ‘The Social Model of Disability’. Subtitle reads ‘The idea that people are disabled by barriers in society, not by their impairment or difference.’ Body reads ‘The Medical Model: A person is less able because of their disability, they nee
An illustration of a desi woman in a bright pink jumper and jeans sitting in a wheelchair at the bottom of a winding staircase. An arrow points to her with the label 'person', whilst another arrow points to the staircase with the label 'problem'.
Title reads ‘Statistics’ Subtitle reads ‘People's attitudes towards disability can be more damaging than the disability itself’ Body reads ‘44.4 million in the UK say they feel awkward around disabled people, 87% of parents of disabled children up to
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