Chinese Journal of Sociology ›› 2018, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (4): 160-179.

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Disability as Capability Limitation: Review and Reflection on the Existing Models of Disability Study

YU Lian   

  1. School of Marxism, Soochow University
  • Online:2018-07-20 Published:2018-07-20

Abstract:

The discipline of disabilities studies has gone through a line of Personal Model to Medical Model to Social Model. All three models place their focus on the causes of disabilities and view them as the core of disabilities. Such a limitation reflects the conventional thought mode of cause-impact and can lead to stereotypes and labeling of disabled people. Researchers like Tom Shakespeare criticize the Social Model for its rigid dichotomy of impairment (bodily difference) and disability (social creation),as well as its dichotomy of social exclusion and social inclusion. This paper suggests that understanding the disability by focusing on impacts than on causes is a better approach. The capabilities approach frees us from competing claims on the causes of disabilities and channels our attention to capabilities and potentials of the person in a personal,ever-changing and holistic environment. This approach examines the abilities of an individual,not a labeled group,to tackle specific elements that make a situation disabling for a given person. Thus,the approach gives us a precise model of disabilities and a possibility to achieve a more comprehensive and effective response to the disabled.

Key words: Universal Model, disability, Social Model, capabilities