What is the focus of the medical model of disability?

The medical model of disability emphasizes the biological aspects of disability, viewing it primarily as a problem residing within the individual. This model focuses on diagnosing, treating, and managing impairments through medical intervention and rehabilitation. It suggests that disabilities arise from physiological or anatomical differences that can be corrected or remedied through medical or therapeutic means.

By concentrating on the individual's impairment, the medical model often overlooks broader societal and environmental factors that contribute to the experience of disability. It tends to conceptualize the disabled individual as needing to adapt to society, rather than society adapting to accommodate the individual’s needs. This understanding sets the foundation for many traditional approaches to disability, including medical treatments and therapies aimed at restoring 'normal' function.

In contrast, other models of disability, such as the social model, focus on how societal barriers and attitudes contribute to the experience of disability, and the environmental and social factors that influence accessibility.