There are several theoretical models of disability. Each has its perspective on how to understand and address disability. Each model has its strengths and weaknesses. None of the models is comprehensive, so they are neither fully correct nor incorrect. The models aren't mutually exclusive; many use a combination of these models. I collected some more models for this page, but if you want to get an even more comprehensive list, check out Models of Disability: Types and Definitions at Disabled world.
If you haven't seen the video already, check out Stella Young's talk I'm not your inspiration, thank you very much.
Disability is complex. No single model fully explains every experience or context.
Over time, scholars, activists, policymakers, and practitioners have developed additional models to address gaps in earlier frameworks.
These models often respond to limitations in medical, social, or economic perspectives.
Understanding them helps build a more nuanced view of accessibility.
The minority group model views disabled people as a marginalised social group.
It focuses on:
Accessibility, in this model, is a civil rights issue.
It highlights parallels between disability and other forms of systemic inequality.
The affirmation model challenges narratives of tragedy and deficit.
It emphasises:
Rather than defining disability as something to overcome, it recognises it as part of human diversity.
In accessibility work, this model encourages respectful representation and community engagement.
The relational model sees disability as emerging from the interaction between individuals and their environment.
It shares similarities with the biopsychosocial and social models but places stronger emphasis on context and relationships.
This perspective supports flexible and adaptive design approaches.
Each model highlights a different dimension of disability:
In practice, accessibility work often draws from multiple models.
For example:
No single model defines accessibility work entirely.
There are many models of disability beyond the most widely discussed frameworks. Each offers a different lens for understanding disability and inclusion.
In digital accessibility, drawing from multiple perspectives supports more balanced, ethical, and sustainable approaches.