Rights-Based Model of Disability in Social Work

Challenges and Opportunities in Disability Assessments

• Disability assessments remain complex and contested, varying across welfare regimes and policy functions.
• The rights-based approach challenges the historic individualization of disability assessments, emphasizing a broader context and human rights.

Social Model of Disability

• Challenges traditional understanding of disability, focusing on societal barriers rather than individual impairments.
• Key points:
  • Inaccessible Environment: Disability is caused by societal barriers, not individual bodies or minds.
  • Accommodations and Accessibility: Advocates for making environments and services accessible for disabled people.

Application in Social Work

• Social workers play a critical role in supporting individuals with disabilities:
  • Empowerment: Advocating for rights, ensuring access to services, and promoting inclusion.
  • Barrier Removal: Removing barriers in various domains that hinder full participation.
  • Policy Advocacy: Advocating for policies that align with the social model, aiming for a more inclusive society.
  • Person-Centered Approach: Focusing on individual abilities and unique needs, contributing to a positive shift away from a purely medical perspective.

Language Considerations

• Language matters!
• Person-First Language: Emphasizes personhood (e.g., "person with a disability").
• Identity-First Language: Recognizes disability as an integral part of identity (e.g., "autistic person").
• Client Preference: Always ask clients which language they prefer, as they are the experts in their own experiences.

Rights-Based Model of Disability

• Recognizes disability as a natural part of human diversity that must be respected and supported in all its forms.
• Key principles:
  • Equal Rights: People with disabilities have the same rights as everyone else in society.
  • Non-Discrimination: Disability must not be used as an excuse to deny or restrict people’s rights.
  • Social Justice: Aligns with the social model, emphasizing that barriers in society cause disability.

Application in Social Work (Rights-Based Model)

• Social workers play a crucial role in promoting and protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities:
  • Human Rights Perspective: Advocating for the rights of people with disabilities, ensuring access to education, employment, healthcare, and social services.
  • Assessment and Advocacy: Assessing disability needs, considering both social context and individual functioning, and advocating for policy changes that align with human rights principles.