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Ep. 18: Models of Disability Medical, Social and Beyond
Oct 13, 2026 31:42

Ep. 18: Models of Disability Medical, Social and Beyond

About this episode

Is there a right model or perfect model of disability? In this episode of Minds That Think Differently we will cover:

  • ​what a model of disability is
  • ​why models of disability are important
  • ​the medical model which emphasizes understanding an impairment and treating or limiting it through medical technology 
  • ​ the social model which emphasizes looking at social physical and institutional barriers that restrict access and participation for disabled people 
  • ​the tragedy model which views disability as a personal misfortune or tragedy 
  • ​the charity model which views disabled people as needing help and being dependent 
  • ​the biopsychosocial model which emphasizes that social and biological and psychological components all contribute to disability not just one 
  • ​the expert model emphasizes the role of experts in helping support disabled people 
  • ​ the human rights model which emphasizes that disabled people deserve rights and equality
  • ​the social identity or cultural model views disabled people as having their own culture and that they are a category of people and it's not just medical or social
  • ​the economic model focuses on how disability affects employment and focuses on barriers to disabled people being able to work 
  • ​the affirmation or identity model views disability as a positive and as an integral part of the person's identity and it reframes disability as being a natural part of human diversity 


Through this episode we will reframe the idea of disability and we will discuss whether there is one right or perfect model the benefits and drawbacks of certain models,  how the model of disability we use affects disabled people in their daily lives, and what models disabled people actually prefer.


Throughout this episode you will learn about the different ways people think about disability and challenge your views on what disability means and which model of disability you see disability through and you will be able to apply these models to society and the way disabled people are treated in society. 


Correction: in this episode I was talking about the biopsychosocial model as the model of disability that encompasses biological psychological and social aspects of disability not the biopsychological model.


Want to learn more about invisible disability? Listen to invisible disability part 1 foundations 

Spotify 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/48DYNMjsBh7hCc192tjJ8R?si=nuUaq6htTfS35Dfjjbwl1Q 

Apple Podcasts 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-11-invisible-disabilities-part-1-the-foundations/id6785985912?i=1000785767853 


Want to learn more about how the medical tragedy and charity models of disability affect disabled people and contribute to harmful stereotypes? Listen to episode 7 

Spotify 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4dszuQOxK5VywyP8rtQNqU?si=Nq-Xll-FR6C-mLuQCpgYWg 

Apple Podcasts 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-7-debunking-myths-and-misconceptions-about-mental/id6785985912?i=1000778699938 


Listen to podcast and shorts on YouTube - Minds That Think Differently 

https://youtube.com/@mindsthatthinkdifferently?si=BAJ8E_avet7Hjwmh 


Email me 

[email protected]

Find more information, ways to listen, and transcripts on my website thinkdifferentpod.wordpress.com