Module: Human rights, mental health

& disability

What does disability mean from a human rights

perspective?1
There are different models of disability.

Our previous understanding of disability was tied to models like the medical and
charity models. However, new thinking and understanding about disability has led to
new models – such as the social and human rights models. These new approaches
highlight the importance of health services, but go MUCH further.

They also emphasize the many other key factors that should be addressed to support
people with disabilities.

THE MEDICAL MODEL

The medical model of disability

A long-held view of disability is now called the medical model of disability; in which
disability is a medical problem that needs to be solved or an illness that needs to be
"cured". This model implied that a person with a disability is broken or sick and that
they need to be fixed or healed through medical intervention. It places the burden
on the person's "problem" which therefore should be "fixed".

1Transcript based on “What does disability mean from a human rights perspective“ video produced by the World
Health Organization. The sections on the medical, charity and social models of disability were extracted from
“Quality in Social Services – Understanding the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities“ video produced
by The European Quality in Social Service (EQUASS) Unit of the European Platform for Rehabilitation (EPR)
(www.epr.eu – www.equass.be). With financial support from the European Union Programme for Employment and
Social Innovation “EaSI” (2014-2020) – http://ec.europa.eu/social/easi. Animation: S. Allaeys – QUIDOS Content
support: European Disability Forum.

E-Training provided by Mental Health Policy and Service Development, World Health Organization.
Production prohibited without prior authorisation
 THE CHARITY MODEL

Charity model of disability:

In the charity model of disability, there is a view that persons with disabilities are
helpless people and need to be cared for. In this model, persons with disabilities are
regarded as objects of charity and passive recipients of welfare. People feel pity for
them, and the disabled person is made to be entirely dependent from others.

THE SOCIAL MODEL

Social model of disability:

The social model of disability focuses on eliminating barriers created by society or the
physical environment that limit a person from enjoying the human rights. By
eliminating attitudinal and environmental barriers, as opposed to treating persons
with disabilities as problems to be fixed, persons with disabilities can participate as
active members of society and enjoy the full range of their rights. This includes
promoting positive attitudes changing the rules and environment to be accessible
for all including buildings and providing information in a way that everyone can
understand.

THE HUMAN RIGHTS MODEL

Like the social model, the human rights model recognises that disability is caused by
many barriers. And that these barriers prevent people from participating in society
on an equal basis with others.

But it goes further. It considers that persons with disabilities are entitled to the same
rights as all other people.

Barriers that prevent people from participating fully in society and from enjoying their
rights are therefore considered discriminatory.

Hence people with disabilities have the right to have these barriers removed and to
claim their rights. Promoting rights is not just a good idea, but an obligation for
governments.

E-Training provided by Mental Health Policy and Service Development, World Health Organization.
Production prohibited without prior authorisation
 ONE LAST POINT

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities forges new ground by
adopting the social and human rights models. It considers people with disabilities,
not as objects of charity and medical treatment, but as full and equal members of
society with human rights. Its implementation requires creative solutions, and has the
potential to improve the lives of millions of people with disabilities.

E-Training provided by Mental Health Policy and Service Development, World Health Organization.
Production prohibited without prior authorisation