Blog #8 - Disabilities and Society

Sofia Torrie

Dr. Sowers

GSS-2117-001 Disability and Sports

30 March 2026

The difference between the medical model of disability and the biophysical model of disability is that the medical model is where the disability is seen as something that needs fixing or diagnosing, where the biophysical model is how people and their disabilities are accepted and included in society. The medical model focuses more on the diagnosis side, meaning this is where people focus more on fixing the disability. This may include doctors and medical work. For example, someone who is disabled may need a walker, and that will show their disability through walking. The biophysical model has a better understanding of people with disabilities because it is recognizing what people with disabilities may need within society such as accessibility and accommodations so they can be included and do things that any other individual is able to do. Breaking Barriers: Promoting Awareness, Inclusion and Acceptance for Individuals with Disabilities


To better educate others about disabilities and how individuals with disabilities do not need to be “fixed” to live a normal life, they just need assistance and accommodations to be able to carry on normally. A way to educate people on how societal limitations placed on individuals can be to see how they may be limited to doing things based on how an establishment may or may not have accessible accommodations for people with disabilities. Examples of this can be ramps, braille signs, signs with big words, and elevators. We can also educate people on how the disabilities do not define a person and or need to be “fixed.” To do this, people can see that individuals with disabilities can do everything we can do, such as go to concerts, go to school, and have a job. Society can have a negative effect on people with disabilities and how others see them because of the stigma that they cannot do the same things as able-bodied people. Anyone with a disability is capable of doing the same things as everyone else as long as there are accessible accommodations. Breaking Barriers: Promoting Awareness, Inclusion and Acceptance for Individuals with Disabilities.


Inclusivity is one of the biggest parts of educating others on disabilities and overall, the main message people with disabilities want to send to others. It is not about “fixing” someone that may have a disability, but it is about creating a society where they are accepted and seen for what they can do without the barriers of society and inaccessible places. Through education and acceptance, society can come together to build a world where everyone is accepted and included to do normal, everyday activities.




Resources:

“Breaking Barriers: Promoting Awareness, Inclusion and Acceptance for Individuals with Disabilities.” Home, 26 June 2025, www.sidekickssupport.com/breaking-barriers-promoting-awareness-inclusion-and-acceptance-for-individuals-with-disabilities#:~:text=Disability%20awareness%20is%20understanding%20the,perspectives%20of%20individuals%20with%20disabilities. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.

Hogan, Andrew J. “Social and Medical Models of Disability and Mental Health: Evolution and Renewal.” CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association Journal = Journal de l’Association Medicale Canadienne, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 7 Jan. 2019, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6312522/#:~:text=8,9. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.


 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Blog #1 - Personal Experience

Sofia Torrie Disability and Sports Dr. Sowers My personal experience with disabilities were very limited, I'd say until I was in high school. I did not have many connections to people with disabilities because I do not have any family members with disabilities. In high school, I was introduced to more students within my school that had disabilities, and by getting to know them, I was able to see that they are just like us, but there are things that may limit their normal day to day lives. I became good friends with a disabled student, and I learned new things from him everyday. My understanding of disabilities were changed by getting to know someone personally with a disability, and seeing how they navigate through life.  Social media has a broad spectrum of media and nowadays, there are a lot of people who openly talk about their experiences with disabilities which allowed me to learn more about different types of disabilities and how it may affect their lives. Social media has a ...
Read more

Blog #2 Paralympics

Image
Sofia Torrie Disability and Sports Dr. Sowers Prior to this week's topic, I never thought too far into the meaning of "para" in the word "Paralympics." To my understanding, "para" stems from the word parallel, which means equal to or beside. Before learning more about the Paralympics, I didn't know much about it. I know it is the same concept of the Olympics, but it has sporting events for those with disabilities. I knew it was the same as the Olympics but it had accommodations for disabled athletes. I also knew that "para" did not mean paraplegic because not all of the athletes were paraplegic. I think the importance of learning the difference between these events is important because not a lot of people know what the meaning behind Paralympics is.  This week's topic has taught me that "para" in "Paralympics" means next to, which makes their events parallel to the Olympics. The point of the Paralympics is to hold ...
Read more

Blog #4 - Fair Sport

Image
Sofia Torrie Dr. Sowers  16 February 2026 Adaptive technology has been used in sports and is very important for athletes who are disabled because it allows for them to be able to compete in competitions. I do think that adaptive technology should be allowed in sports because without the adaptive technology, many athletes would not be able to participate. Adaptive technology is a wide range of equipment that gives disabled athletes the chance to use their full potential. Some examples of adaptive technology are wheelchairs, prosthetics, and equipment that is altered to accommodate the athlete’s disability. Adaptive Equipment, Accessibility Needs Part of the Package for Athletes With a Disability In this article, a Paralympic athlete, Jessica Tuomela, speaks on her experience with adaptive technology and how it impacts the athletes that require such equipment to be able to perform to their best ability.  Although adaptive technology should be allowed in sports, there is also ...
Read more