By Jo D'Archangelis Good morning, class, and welcome to Disability Paradigms 101. Let's begin with a summary of the main disability models that have developed within the past 50 years or so. The first is the medical model, popularized by research institutes, charitable organizations, and telethons. The second model, related to the first, is the rehabilitation model.
Rehabilitation is particularly important in the areas of employability and athletics.
In fact, its symbol is the hunky paraplegic male, chest and shoulder muscles gleaming, whooshing around in his sporty wheelchair. Fabio on wheels, if you will. The third disability model is the psychological one. One has to learn to adjust or adapt to one's limitations, accept one's losses, and have the right attitude. A positive, upbeat, cheerful outlook diminishes the negative impact of physical disability on oneself and on others.