Implementing a Social Model of Disability Approach to Service Delivery

Implementing a Social Model of Disability Approach to Service

Delivery

Heather Mole

Introduction

Heather MoleAccess Services Advisor

Overview

• Overview of social model of disability• Overview of Universal Design approach• Presentation of research and findings• Group work/discussion around the shift

Models of disability

• Medical ModelPerson-focused, their problem, need to be fixed/cured by ‘experts’

• Social ModelSociety-focused, the person with an impairment is disabled by society (no curb cuts), only paper copy (no digital version)

Accommodation Approach

Access is a problem for the individual

Access is achieved through

accommodations and/or retrofitting

Access is retroactive

Access is specialized

Access is consumable

Adapted from AHEAD Universal Design Initiative Team (2004)

Universal Design (UD)“ The design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or

specialized design.”

The Center for Universal Design, 1997

Universal Design Approach

Access is a problem stemming from the

environment

The system/environment is designed, to the

greatest extent possible, to be usable by all

Access is proactive

Access is inclusive

Access is sustainable

Accommodation Approach

Access is a problem for the individual

Access is achieved through

accommodations and/or retrofitting

Access is retroactive

Access is specialized

Access is consumable

Adapted from AHEAD Universal Design Initiative Team (2004)

Research Questions• Changing from one model to another – a success?

• Is the whole institution involved?

• Are service providers seeing their roles change?

• Is Universal Design part of the change? How is it related?

• What does the social model of disability approach look like?

• What are the main issues and considerations?

• What are the challenges and successes?

Emerging Themes

• Changing language and changing concepts

• Becoming a collaborator

• Becoming an expert

• Decentralizing

• Documenting disability

• Faculty endorsement

• Funding

• Student Consultation

Recommendations1 Education about disability studies, the social model,

inclusive education and user-led organizations.

2 Education about the concept of Universal Design to become experts and resource centres.

3 Involve the students.

4 Build networks with faculty, teaching support services, administration, facilities staff and information technology services.

Recommendations

5 Review literature and publications, the language used when communicating with stakeholders and registration documentation guidelines.

6 Wherever possible, UD should be presented as one tool for the implementation of the social model and not the sole solution.

Questions & Discussion

Heather Mole – [email protected]