ABSTRACT

Conventionally there are two models of disability discrimination that are discussed. These are the medical and social models of disability. The medical model focuses on the disability and is concerned with treating that disability. There is a strong element of this in the UK legislation. The social model focuses on society and provides that the barriers to participation in society for dis - abled people are society’s responsibility and an individual’s disability is irrelevant. Thus the medi cal model is concerned with providing a wheelchair for a person with a disability that affects their mobility; the social model would be more concerned about making access to transport and buildings as wide as possible. If a person in a wheelchair cannot access a building, it is society’s responsibility, not that of the disabled person.