IAAP CPACC Certification: Disabilities, Challenges,
and Assistive Technologies 100% Correct
About how many people have a disability? – Answer One in five people, or
about 20 percent
What is the medical theoretical model of disability? – Answer Viewing
disability in terms of biological impairments; a problem caused by genetic
disorders, disease, trauma or other health conditions. Disability is treated as a
biological problem that diminishes quality of life and needs to be treated with
professional medical care
What are the strengths of the medical theoretical model of disability? (2) –
Answer 1. Acknowledges that there is a biological condition placing
individuals with disabilities at a disadvantage
- Creates a set of clearly-defined biological criteria for medical treatment and
government assistance
What are the weaknesses of the medical theoretical model of disability? (4) –
Answer 1. Overlooks the impact of the social environment on a person with a
disability - Makes disability a characteristic, labeling the person as different from the rest
of the population - Excludes those with disabilities who do not fit into the defined criteria, meaning
they might not be able to receive the care and benefits they need - Makes people have to prove their disability in order to receive the necessary
care and benefits
What is the social theoretical model of disability? – Answer Viewing disability
as an avoidable condition caused by poor design in society. Acknowledges there is
a medical or biological component, while stressing more inclusive designs could
remove barriers for people with disabilities.
What are the strengths of the social theoretical model of disability? (2) –
Answer 1. Empowers individuals with disabilities by removing the stigma;
assumes society will create an inclusive environment, not that people with
disabilities need to accept a lower quality of life
- Empowers designers of physical and virtual environments to think about
usability for everyone, resulting in better designs overall
What are the weaknesses of the social theoretical model of disability? (1) –
Answer 1. Ignores the physical reality of having a disability; accepting and
owning one’s disability can be healthy, both emotionally and psychologically
What is the functional solutions theoretical model of disability? – Answer
Viewing disability as a series of impairments or limitations and the solutions to
eradicate or reduce these limitations through technology or methodology
What are the strengths of the functional solutions theoretical model of disability?
(1) – Answer 1. Focuses on ideas, technologies, and innovations which benefit
people with disabilities and improve their lives
What are the weaknesses of the functional solutions theoretical model of
disability? (1) – Answer 1. Misses opportunities to address larger social
context which might make a solution obsolete because it focuses too much on
creating practical technological solutions
What is the social identity or cultural affiliation theoretical model of disability? –
Answer Viewing disability as a personal identity through communicating with
others who share similar life experiences based on their disability; can be
particularly strong among people are deaf and use sign language
What are the strengths of the social identity or cultural affiliation theoretical
model of disability? (2) – Answer 1. Accepts the disability as an important part
of one’s emotional and psychological well-being - Gains political strength through alliances and advocacy networks
What are the weaknesses of the social identity or cultural affiliation theoretical
model of disability? (2) – Answer 1. Does not serve as a useful basis for
technical definitions of disability because groups of people with different
disabilities or no disabilities might consider themselves part of the same social
group