|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
I’m shaking things up here and taking a quick break from our WCAG series to share something I’ve been studying while prepping for my CPACC certification: The theoretical models of disability. (Spoiler: it’s not as dry as it sounds.)
When we talk about accessibility, it’s easy to get lost in guidelines and technical details. But before we get back to the WCAG grind, let’s focus on the “why” behind it all. A huge part of understanding accessibility is looking at how different models of disability shape the way we build inclusive digital experiences.
Sure, theoretical models of disability might sound too abstract or philosophical, but they expose some harsh truths. They show how we( as creators) are the ones who decide whether someone gets to use our product or not. But not all these models get it right, some are relics of outdated thinking, while others challenge us to rethink accessibility in a more human, inclusive way.
So, let’s break these models down, debunk a few myths, and see how they impact digital accessibility in the real world.
The Medical Model—It’s Not Them, It’s You
The Medical Model is the OG of disability theories, not in a good way. It treats disability as a problem that exists within the individual, focusing on “fixing” the person through medical intervention or rehabilitation. Essentially, in this outdated framework, the goal is to “cure” or “correct” the disability.
Why it’s outdated: This model throws the entire responsibility on the person with a disability, making it their job to adapt to an environment that isn’t built with them in mind. It’s the “disability is the problem” mentality, putting zero pressure on society (or in our case, developers and designers) to remove barriers.
Digital accessibility takeaway: Accessibility isn’t about making people fit into the design you’ve built; it’s about creating designs that fit everyone. Your product should adapt to the user, not the other way around. The problem isn’t them—it’s the design of your site.
The Social Model—You’re the Barrier
The Social Model completely flips the script on the outdated Medical Model. It argues that disability isn’t the problem—society is. From this perspective, disability is created by the barriers that society (including us, as creators) builds—whether those barriers are physical, attitudinal, or digital. It’s not about someone’s impairment; it’s about the obstacles we put in their way.
Why it matters: This model is like holding up a mirror to our own practices. When we design products, websites, or apps that aren’t accessible, we’re the ones creating the barriers. Disability exists because we’re not doing enough to remove those obstacles. Think about it: every inaccessible website, every app without screen reader support, every video without captions—that’s on us.
Digital accessibility takeaway: The more we design with inclusion in mind, the fewer barriers we create. It’s about taking responsibility for how our work impacts others. Every time we create an inaccessible design, we’re actively excluding people. So let’s focus on removing obstacles, not reinforcing them.
The Human Rights Model—Accessibility is a Right, Not a Bonus
The Human Rights Model takes the Social Model and cranks up the volume. It asserts that accessibility isn’t just a nice gesture; it’s a fundamental human right. Failing to make something accessible isn’t just a design misstep—it’s a violation of someone’s rights.
Why it matters: When we create products that aren’t accessible, we’re actively shutting people out. This goes beyond poor design; it’s about denying individuals the opportunity to participate fully in society.
Digital accessibility takeaway: The question isn’t, “Should I make my content accessible?” It’s “Why haven’t you already?” Accessibility isn’t an optional add-on; it’s a must-have. We need to shift our mindset from viewing accessibility as a checkbox to understanding it as a basic right. If we want to truly be inclusive, we must recognize that every person deserves equal access to information, services, and experiences.
The Economic Model—Missed Opportunity
The Economic Model frames disability in terms of financial impact. This approach might resonate with the business-minded among us: it emphasizes that creating inaccessible products is like leaving money on the table.
Why it matters: There’s a massive, underserved market of people with disabilities. By ignoring their needs, companies aren’t just being inconsiderate—they’re turning their backs on billions of dollars in potential revenue. And the big question is: why would you choose to exclude a segment of the population that represents a significant spending power?
Real-life example: Remember when Domino’s faced a lawsuit for having an inaccessible website? Not only did they lose a customer, but they also took a significant financial hit in court. This wasn’t just a bad press moment; it was a wake-up call that accessibility is not merely a nice-to-have. Ignoring it can directly cost you customers and cash.
Digital accessibility takeaway: If you’re not prioritizing accessibility, you’re missing out on a huge market. Invest in accessibility now, and you’ll not only enhance your brand reputation but also tap into a community eager for products that work for them.
The Charity Model—We Don’t Need Pity
Ah, the Charity Model. This outdated approach assumes that people with disabilities need our pity and benevolence. Accessibility is framed as something we do out of kindness, like a charitable act. But here’s the reality: People with disabilities don’t need your charity. They need equal access.
Why it’s flawed: Treating accessibility like it’s a generous favour you’re doing for people just reinforces harmful stereotypes. Accessibility isn’t about making yourself feel better—it’s about doing what’s right.
Real-life example: Think about when you slap a one-size-fits-all accessibility overlay on your site and then pat yourself on the back. That’s not an authentic solution; it’s a band-aid fix that ignores the root of the problem. True accessibility means fully integrating it into your product from the ground up, not just sprinkling it on for good measure.
Digital accessibility takeaway: People with disabilities don’t need charity; they need equal access. If you’re doing accessibility for kudos, you’re doing it for the wrong reasons.
The Functional Solutions Model—Pragmatism is Key
The Functional Solutions Model focuses on finding practical solutions to challenges that people with disabilities face in specific contexts. This model emphasizes providing tools, adaptations, or modifications that allow people with disabilities to participate fully.
Why it matters: This approach is refreshingly practical. It asks the essential question: What do users actually need, and how can we make that happen? Forget the fluff and find actionable solutions.
Digital accessibility takeaway: Accessibility is about tailoring solutions that meet the specific needs of your users. Take the time to understand what works for them and create accessible experiences that truly matter.
The Social Identity or Cultural Affiliation Model—Disability as Diversity
The Social Identity Model sees disability as a cultural identity, much like race or gender. In this model, disability is viewed as a positive identity that brings value to society. Instead of seeing it as a deficit, we see it as a form of diversity that enriches our culture and experiences.
Why it matters: This model encourages us to view disability as just another form of human diversity, with its own strengths and perspectives.
Real-life example: Think of companies that hire neurodiverse teams to bring fresh perspectives to problem-solving. Instead of viewing cognitive disabilities as limitations, these companies recognize the unique talents and creativity that come with different ways of thinking.
Digital accessibility takeaway: Disability = diversity. Inclusive design is about embracing diverse ways of interacting with the world. Diversity fuels innovation, and accessibility should reflect that.
The Biopsychosocial Model—A Holistic View
The Biopsychosocial Model gives us a more complete picture of disability by blending the medical, social, and psychological aspects into one holistic approach. It acknowledges that, yeah, medical conditions can be a factor—but they’re not the whole story. Environment and social factors are just as critical in shaping someone’s experience with disability.
Why it matters: It’s a reminder that accessibility solutions need to consider the whole person—not just their impairment but their environment, their mental well-being, and how all these factors interact.
Digital accessibility takeaway: Accessibility is about considering the bigger picture. You need to think beyond the impairment and recognize how different factors—social, mental, and environmental—affect your users’ experiences. Fix the environment, not the person.
Accessibility is Not Optional
All of these models of disability, in one way or another, give us insight into how society views disability—and how we approach accessibility in our work.
We need to check your own perspective first. Like it or not, your work is shaped by how you see the world. Before diving into any conversation or coding a single line, take a moment to get real about where you stand and how that influences the choices you make.
Accessibility is about understanding that we, as creators of digital products, hold the power to make or break someone’s experience with our work. So let’s use that power to include, not exclude.
Make this your mantra: Edge Cases Are Real People. Let’s stop designing in a vacuum and start creating spaces that truly welcome everyone!
I’ll be dropping more of these insights as I keep digging through this stuff on my study path. Accessibility isn’t some mysterious riddle, it just takes some real talk to make sense of it. In the meantime, if you’re curious to dive deeper, check out these resources below: