The goal here is empowerment and self-actualization. The individual is viewed as an active participant in their own life. This model often embraces identity-first language, as the disability is seen as a core, often proud, component of the person's identity.
The Ecological (Individual Differences) Model
The ecological model, also known as the individual differences model, shifts the focus toward the interaction between the person and their environment. It suggests that disability is defined by how environmental variables either impede or enable functioning.
In this view, people with and without disabilities are equally responsible for the attitudinal and physical barriers that contribute to stigmatization. The goal of service delivery in an ecological framework is to identify and eliminate barriers while utilizing enablers within the individual's ecosystem.
Exam Tip: If asked to identify the "symbol" or role of the individual in these models, remember: Categorical is passive, while both Social Minority and Ecological models view the individual as active.
Language and Identity
Language is an instrument that reflects the philosophical and political conditioning of a society. In disability studies, two primary linguistic approaches exist:
- Person-First Language: This approach emphasizes the individual over the disability (e.g., "person with a disability"). The philosophy is that the person should not be defined solely by their condition.
- Identity-First Language: This approach views the disability as an integral part of who the person is (e.g., "disabled person"). This is often used by individuals who feel a sense of pride in their identity.
Media Representations and Stereotypes
The media plays a massive role in shaping public perception, often by relying on established tropes that can be either helpful or harmful.
Common Media Tropes
- Poster Child: This refers to individuals used to push back against stereotypes, but it can also be used negatively when people are used to elicit pity or donations. For example, some advertisements may use people with physical disabilities to drive engagement, which can be perceived as exploitative.
- Supercrip: This trope portrays individuals who overcome their limitations through extraordinary, almost superhuman feats. While seemingly positive, it can create unrealistic expectations for people living with disabilities.
- Cripsploitation: This is the exploitation of people with disabilities for the benefit or entertainment of able-bodied people. An example includes using photos of individuals to secure donations for hospitals without considering the dignity of the person depicted.
Disability Stereotypes
Media often falls into "common stereotypes" that reduce complex human beings to simple, often negative, categories. These include:
- Victims or objects of pity: Viewing people as needing to be felt sorry for.
- Sinister or evil: Using disability as a shorthand for villainy.
- Exotic or curious: Treating disability as a spectacle for others to watch.
- Burdens: Portraying individuals as a weight or a dependency for others.
- Non-sexual beings: The assumption that people with disabilities do not have sexual identities or desires.
Case Study Examples:
- The Good Doctor uses the "triumph over tragedy" trope regarding autism/savant syndrome.
- Forrest Gump can be seen through the lens of the "burden" trope regarding intellectual disability.
- Love on the Spectrum explores themes of connection, challenging the "non-sexual" stereotype.
Moving Toward a Strengths-Based Perspective
To counter the negative impacts of the Categorical Model, many professionals now adopt a strengths-based perspective. This approach demands that we see individuals through their capacities, talents, and possibilities rather than just their deficits.
Instead of asking "What is wrong with you?", a strengths-based approach uses specific types of questioning to uncover resources:
- Survival Questions: "What enables you to rise to challenges?".
- Support Questions: "Who in your life can you depend on?".
- Possibility Questions: "What are your hopes and aspirations?".
By focusing on these assets, service delivery moves away from "fixing" and toward inclusion—a philosophy where everyone belongs, contributes, and is valued as a full member of the community.
