The medical model of disability is a perspective that views disability as an individual problem or medical condition that needs to be treated, cured or prevented. This model focuses on the individual’s physical or mental impairment and seeks to identify the cause of the disability in order to provide medical interventions or treatments that can alleviate or cure the impairment.

According to the medical model, people with disabilities are seen as dependent on medical professionals and experts, and their ability to function and participate in society is often defined by their level of impairment or ability to adapt to their environment. The medical model places the responsibility for addressing disability on the individual with the disability, rather than on societal and structural barriers that prevent them from fully participating in society.

Critics of the medical model argue that it can lead to stigmatization and discrimination against people with disabilities, as it reinforces negative stereotypes and focuses on the individual’s limitations rather than their strengths and abilities. This model can also prioritize medical interventions over other forms of support, such as accommodations or social and environmental changes.

In contrast, the social model of disability recognizes that disability is not solely a medical issue but also a social and cultural issue. This model emphasizes the need to remove societal barriers and improve accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities, rather than focusing solely on the individual’s impairment.