This article explains the 7 main models of disability, including the medical, social, biopsychosocial, economic, functional solutions, social identity, and charity models. It highlights how each framework defines disability, their strengths and limitations, and why these models matter for accessibility, inclusion, policy, and digital design.
7 Models of Disability Explained (Medical, Social, Economic + More)
What are the models of disability?
The models of disability are frameworks that explain how disability is understood in society. Rather than viewing disability only as a medical condition, these models show how disability is shaped by factors like social barriers, cultural identity, economics, and accessibility design.
In total, there are 7 widely recognized models of disability, including the medical model, the social model, the biopsychosocial model, the economic model, the functional solutions model, the social identity (cultural) model, and the charity model.
Understanding these disability models matters because they influence how people with disabilities are treated, how policies are written, and how inclusive environments are built, especially in areas like education, employment, healthcare, and digital accessibility.
For businesses and website owners, these models help answer a critical question:
Is disability something an individual must “overcome,” or is it something society must design better for?
In this guide, we’ll break down each model with clear definitions, real-world examples, and practical takeaways for accessibility and inclusion.
The 7 main models of disability
- Medical model
- Social model
- Biopsychosocial model
- Economic model
- Functional solutions model
- Social identity (cultural) model
- Charity model
The medical model of disability
Medical model of disability definition
The medical model of disability defines disability as a physical, mental, or cognitive impairment located within the individual. Under this model, disability is viewed as a problem that needs treatment, cure, or rehabilitation.
In other words, the focus is on what is “wrong” with the person rather than on barriers in society.
How the medical model works
The medical model assumes that:
- Disability results from illness, injury, or biological difference
- Healthcare professionals are responsible for diagnosis and treatment
- The goal is to normalize or correct the impairment
Example
A person with limited vision is seen as having a medical limitation that requires glasses, surgery, or assistive devices. The responsibility is placed primarily on the individual to adapt.
Strengths
- Supports medical research and treatment development
- Helps individuals access clinical support and rehabilitation
- Recognizes real biological conditions
Weaknesses
- Can reduce disability to a “defect”
- May ignore environmental or societal barriers
- Risks framing disabled people as passive recipients of care
Why it matters in accessibility
If a business follows only the medical model, it may assume users should rely solely on assistive technology instead of improving website design. This can limit true inclusion.
The Social model of disability
Social model of disability definition
The social model of disability defines disability as the result of societal barriers rather than individual impairments. According to this model, people are disabled not by their condition, but by inaccessible environments, discriminatory attitudes, and poor design.
This model shifts responsibility from the individual to society.
How the social model works
The social model argues that:
- Impairments are biological realities
- Disability occurs when society fails to accommodate those impairments
- Barriers in architecture, policy, and digital design create exclusion
Example
A wheelchair user is not disabled by their mobility limitation alone. They are disabled when buildings lack ramps, elevators, or accessible entrances.
Online, a blind user is disabled when websites lack alt text, keyboard navigation, or proper screen reader compatibility.
Strengths
- Promotes inclusion and accessibility
- Influences modern accessibility laws and standards
- Encourages barrier removal in digital environments
Weaknesses
- May underemphasize medical or pain-related realities
- Can oversimplify complex individual experiences
Why it matters in digital accessibility
Most modern web accessibility standards, including WCAG-based approaches, are influenced by the social model. Instead of expecting users to adapt, websites are designed to reduce barriers and improve usability for everyone.
Organizations often support continuous improvement through structured accessibility issue reporting systems, allowing users to flag digital barriers and helping teams address accessibility gaps over time.
For businesses, this means prioritizing accessible design, testing, and inclusive user experiences.
The biopsychosocial model of disability
Biopsychosocial model of disability definition
The biopsychosocial model of disability defines disability as the result of interactions between biological conditions, psychological factors, and social environments. It combines elements of both the medical and social models.
Rather than focusing only on impairment or only on societal barriers, this model considers the full context of a person’s lived experience.
How the biopsychosocial model works
This model recognizes that:
- Biological impairments may affect functioning
- Mental health, coping skills, and personal identity matter
- Social and environmental barriers influence outcomes
Disability is understood as dynamic and shaped by multiple systems.
Example
A person with chronic pain may experience:
- Physical limitations (biological factor)
- Emotional stress or anxiety (psychological factor)
- Workplace inaccessibility (social factor)
All three influence their overall experience of disability.
Strengths
- Offers a balanced and holistic perspective
- Recognizes complexity of lived experiences
- Bridges medical care and social inclusion
Weaknesses
- Can be harder to apply in policy or design decisions
- May dilute accountability if responsibility is unclear
Why it matters in accessibility
For businesses, this model supports combining inclusive design with supportive policies and flexible accommodations rather than relying on one approach alone.
The economic model of disability
Economic model of disability definition
The economic model of disability views disability in terms of productivity, employment, and economic impact. Under this model, disability is understood as a limitation that affects a person’s ability to contribute economically.
This model often focuses on workforce participation and cost-benefit considerations.
How the economic model works
It assumes that:
- Disability may limit earning potential
- Society incurs costs related to healthcare and support services
- Inclusion policies are evaluated through financial impact
Example
A company may invest in workplace accommodations because accessible environments improve employee retention, productivity, and legal risk management.
Strengths
- Encourages workplace accessibility
- Supports inclusive hiring policies
- Demonstrates financial value of accessibility
Weaknesses
- Risks reducing people to economic output
- May undervalue dignity and identity
- Can frame disability as a burden
Why it matters in digital accessibility
Accessible websites reduce exclusion and expand customer reach. From an economic perspective, inclusive design increases market access and reduces compliance-related risks.
The functional solutions model of disability
Functional solutions model of disability definition
The functional solutions model of disability focuses on practical tools and design adjustments that improve usability for people with disabilities. Rather than debating causes, it emphasizes actionable solutions.
This model prioritizes removing friction through design improvements.
How the functional solutions model works
It focuses on:
- Assistive technologies
- Interface adjustments
- User-controlled accessibility features
- Practical implementation
Example
Providing adjustable font sizes, color contrast controls, keyboard navigation, and screen reader compatibility reflects a functional solutions approach.
Strengths
- Action-oriented and practical
- Supports measurable accessibility improvements
- Aligns well with digital accessibility standards
Weaknesses
- May overemphasize technology
- Risks ignoring broader societal change
- Can become checkbox-driven
Why it matters in digital accessibility
In web design, this model drives tools like accessibility widgets, audits, structured navigation, and inclusive UX testing. It translates theory into implementation.
The social identity model of disability
(Also known as the cultural model of disability)
Social identity model of disability definition
The social identity model of disability, sometimes called the cultural model of disability, frames disability as a shared identity within a community. It emphasizes pride, belonging, and cultural affiliation rather than limitation.
Disability is viewed as a valued identity, not something to be fixed.
How the social identity model works
This model highlights that:
- Disability can be a source of community and culture
- Language and identity shape experience
- Collective empowerment matters
Example
Members of Deaf culture often identify as part of a linguistic and cultural community rather than viewing deafness as a condition requiring correction.
Strengths
- Promotes empowerment and pride
- Encourages representation and advocacy
- Recognizes disability culture
Weaknesses
- May not resonate with everyone
- Can create tension between identity and medical perspectives
Why it matters in accessibility
Understanding disability as identity encourages businesses to engage directly with disabled communities, prioritize representation, and include diverse perspectives in design decisions.
The charity model of disability
Charity model of disability definition
The charity model of disability views people with disabilities as dependent, vulnerable, and in need of assistance or pity. Disability is framed as a personal tragedy rather than a societal issue.
This model often positions non-disabled individuals as providers of help.
How the charity model works
It assumes that:
- Disabled people rely on external support
- Philanthropy is the primary response
- Emotional appeal drives action
Example
Fundraising campaigns that focus on evoking sympathy rather than empowerment reflect the charity model.
Strengths
- Can mobilize resources quickly
- Raises awareness in certain contexts
Weaknesses
- Can reinforce stereotypes
- May undermine autonomy and dignity
- Frames disability as passive rather than active
Why it matters in accessibility
Businesses relying on a charity mindset may treat accessibility as goodwill rather than responsibility. Modern inclusion strategies move beyond charity toward structural design improvements.
Disability models comparison table
The following table compares the seven main models of disability, highlighting their focus, how they define disability, and their strengths and limitations. Understanding these differences helps clarify how disability is approached in healthcare, policy, employment, and digital accessibility.
Model | Focus | View of disability | Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Medical | Individual’s health condition | A problem or impairment within the person | Enables treatment and care | Ignores social barriers; can promote stigma |
Social | Society and environment | Caused by societal and environmental barriers | Empowers advocacy; supports inclusion | May downplay medical needs |
Biopsychosocial | Interaction of medical, psychological, and social factors | A result of multiple interconnected influences | Holistic and flexible approach | Complex to apply; lacks clarity in some settings |
Economic | Financial impact | Affects productivity and incurs costs | Useful for policy and benefit planning | Can be stigmatizing; reductionist |
Functional solutions | Practical solutions and technologies | Functional limitations that can be addressed or reduced | Actionable; tech-focused | Tech overreliance; ignores systemic barriers |
Social identity | Cultural identity and community | A source of pride and belonging | Promotes empowerment and shared identity | May exclude those not strongly tied to a community |
Charity | Dependence and need | People as recipients of help and pity | Can mobilize support quickly | Reinforces dependence and disempowerment |
You can also download this disability models comparison table as a printable reference guide by clicking Download the disability models summary table.
Key takeaway for businesses and website owners
Most modern accessibility standards and inclusive design practices align most strongly with the:
- Social model of disability (removing barriers)
- Functional solutions model (implementing practical improvements)
Together, these approaches support accessibility as an essential part of good digital design, not an afterthought.
Frequently asked questions
The main models of disability include the medical model, social model, biopsychosocial model, economic model, functional solutions model, social identity (cultural) model, and the charity model. Each model explains disability differently and influences how society approaches accessibility, inclusion, healthcare, and policy.
The medical model of disability defines disability as a condition or impairment within the individual. It focuses on diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. While it supports healthcare and clinical care, it can overlook the role of social barriers and inaccessible environments in creating exclusion.
The social model of disability explains disability as the result of barriers in society rather than the individual’s impairment. Under this model, inaccessible design, attitudes, and environments create disability. In digital accessibility, it supports removing barriers like missing alt text, poor keyboard navigation, and low contrast.
A clear definition of the social model of disability is: disability is created by social and environmental barriers that limit access and participation. The solution is reducing barriers through inclusive design, accessible environments, and supportive policies rather than expecting individuals to adapt to inaccessible systems.
The functional model of disability (often discussed as a functional solutions approach) focuses on practical ways to reduce limitations through tools, accommodations, and design improvements. In digital accessibility, this includes actionable fixes such as improved navigation, readable typography, and user-controlled accessibility settings.
The cultural model of disability (closely related to the social identity model) frames disability as part of identity, community, and culture. It emphasizes belonging, representation, and empowerment. This perspective is often seen in communities like Deaf culture, where disability may be viewed as cultural affiliation rather than something to “fix.”
The economic model of disability views disability through its impact on employment, productivity, and cost. It’s often used in policy and workplace planning. While it can support investments in accessibility and accommodations, it can also be reductionist if it values people only by economic output.
The medical model focuses on impairment within the individual and emphasizes treatment or care. The social model focuses on barriers in society and emphasizes removing obstacles through accessible design and inclusion. In practice, many organizations use a combination, especially when planning accessibility improvements.
The charity model of disability views disabled people as dependent and in need of help or pity. It often presents disability as a personal tragedy and positions support as goodwill. Modern inclusion efforts typically move away from this model toward empowerment and barrier removal.
Models of disability are important because they shape how society designs policies, builds environments, and creates inclusive systems. The model used influences healthcare decisions, workplace inclusion, education access, and digital accessibility standards.
Most modern accessibility laws and standards are influenced by the social model of disability. This model emphasizes removing barriers in environments, websites, and systems rather than expecting individuals to adapt to inaccessible designs.
The medical model is not necessarily outdated, but it is often considered incomplete when used alone. While it supports diagnosis and treatment, it does not fully address social and environmental barriers that limit inclusion.
Impairment refers to a physical, sensory, or cognitive condition. Disability, under the social model, occurs when societal barriers prevent someone with an impairment from fully participating. In this view, disability is created by inaccessible systems rather than the condition itself.
Disability models directly influence how websites are designed. The social model supports removing digital barriers such as poor contrast, missing alt text, and inaccessible navigation. The functional model emphasizes implementing practical accessibility improvements and user-friendly design features.
The social model of disability is widely accepted in policy, advocacy, and accessibility standards. However, many professionals use a combination of models, particularly the biopsychosocial model, to account for medical, psychological, and environmental factors.
Businesses apply disability models when designing products, services, and digital experiences. Companies aligned with the social and functional models focus on removing barriers, improving usability, and integrating accessibility into design and development processes.
An example of the charity model is a fundraising campaign that presents disabled individuals primarily as recipients of pity or support. This approach emphasizes dependence rather than empowerment or structural change.
Adam is the Head of Digital Marketing at Clym, where he leverages his diverse expertise in marketing to support businesses with their compliance needs and drive awareness about data privacy and web accessibility. As one of the company’s original team members, Adam has been instrumental in shaping its journey from the very beginning. When he’s not diving into marketing strategies, Adam can be found cheering on his favorite sports teams or enjoying fishing.
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