Social Model Analysis Of Disability Sociology Essay

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In recent times, social model of disability has gained academic attention through the works of acclaimed activist like Vic Finklestein, Paul Hunt and Mike Oliver. (Colin Barnes 2000); (Mike Oliver 1990). Social model of disability holds a divergent view to that of the medical model. The social model tends to make clear distinction between "impairment" and 'disability'. That is to say the impaired person is disabled as a result of social barriers and structures. This social model of disability view is esteemed highly in the 'developed' nations as America, Germany, Britain and Austria. In the UK the Disability Discriminatory Act (DDA) was enacted based on the medical model however service providers adjusting to accommodate the law reasonably follow the social model. Could this view of social model, be translated into the economies of majority world where basic infrastructure to meet the needs of persons with impairment are far reaching.

This essay will attempt to answer that question by firstly defining what 'social model' and 'developing' nations are. It will, secondly, develop further by giving a brief historical background of the social model of disability. Thirdly it will discuss other modules of disability such as the medical model, WHO's International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps (ICIDH) and International Classification Functioning (ICF). It will make reference to situations in a few minority countries for broader comparison. Then critically analyse the social model under the microscope of the majority world perspective. Finally arguments from international aids and organisations will be reviewed to verify the weight behind the relevance of the social model in 'developing' nations.

Definitions of Models of Disability

Llewellyn and Hogan (2000) defining model of disability posits that usually a model signifies a kind hypothesis that is specifically structural which looks to make clear an idea by linking it to a theoretical method and device. It is not the same as theory because it does not need information gathering but sometimes involves the use of producers of theories. A model is basically a structure for assessing information. The models of disability therefore offer a structure in which the experience of disability is understood. This enables disabled people to provide for themselves and the society they live in a framework that laws, regulations and structures can be developed. It also provides knowledge about the attitudes, ideas and prejudice of people and the impact they can have on people with impairments. Furthermore they highlight ways in which society relates with disabled people in daily life. The models of disability are predisposed by two primary viewpoints, medical and social.

Williams (1996), a proponent of the medical model asserts that impairment is a natural part of disability. Given the position that it is a natural part of disability, then the individual becomes responsible for his/her disability. (Oliver 1990) highlights this issue by saying that there are two main problems with the individual or medical model. Firstly, it places the 'problem' of disability with the impaired person and secondly the cause of the problem from the practical restrictions which are imagined to be from the disability. The medical model was obviously born before the 'social model' and is often held in contrasting opinion with the 'social model'. It is sometimes referred to as the medical or personal tragedy model (Oliver 1990). Mercer, Shakespeare and Barnes (1999) posit that disabled individuals are considered as reliant on others to be looked after and to overcome disability they have to rely on healing medicine. Practical normality through rehabilitation is then sought if the impairment cannot be healed. Overcoming disability can then be considered to be parallel with prevailing over physiological restrictions of impairment.

Disability rights groups often compare this model to the price of intruding medical procedures like genetic screening. Often big investment in these procedures and technologies is underpinned by the medical model. Oliver (1990) asserts that disability cannot be treated or cured therefore a lot of people with disabilities will received unnecessary medical attention which is repressive and unacceptable. This is often thought of as waste of money as adaptation of the disabled person's surroundings could be less expensive and achievable than medical intervention. The medical model of disability is also often seen by some disability rights groups as a civil rights issue and disapproves of benevolent initiatives which are used to portray disabled people. It is felt that this often encourages negativity and undermines the image of people with impairment and does nothing but to promote disability as a political, social and environment dilemma.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has perhaps one of the largely acknowledged definitional plans that take an individual model approach in the name of International Classification of Impairments, Disability and Handicaps (ICIDH). Bury (2000) confirms this when he comments on ICIDH2. He writes of his excitement as WHO shied away from its constricted medical model view point. ICIDH was developed in the mid 1970s and is part of a family of classifications. It was purposely designed to constrict the gap between what health care will be able to do and what it is expected to do. (WHO 1980) The international classification of disease (ICD) was the first definitional schema. It had been in existence since 1893 and evidenced that the health care systems previously focussed on disease. The theorisation of disease was purely straight forward. If a disease manifests it is able to be cured or it can develop until the organism dies.

The progress in medical technology drastically changed the potential outcomes of pathologic conditions beyond weighing morbidity and mortality. Impairments and disabilities figure prominently in these conditions and as the ICD model could not assess health problems that were chronic or disabling a new model that would make assessment significant was required. ICIDH basically examined the cost of nonfatal disease to an individual and also the interaction between that individual and society. There are three parts of the ICIDH which are related to the state of health. They are namely impairment, disability and handicap which has been defined as follows:

"Impairment - In the context of health experience, an impairment is any loss or abnormality of psychological, physiological, or anatomical structure or function.

Disability - In the context of health experience, a disability is any restriction or lack (resulting from an impairment) of ability to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being.

Handicap - In the context of health experience, a handicap is a disadvantage for a given individual, resulting from an impairment or a disability, that limits or prevents the fulfilment of a role that is normal (depending on the age, sex, social and cultural factors) for that individual." (WHO 1980)

This classification was recognised world wide and underpinned many medical assessments but it was not long before it came under criticism. Oliver (1990) for instance disapproves of the ICIDH because for an individual to carry out their role as an ordinary member of society the person would be expected to change instead his/her environment. He feels the medical viewpoint to disability is propagated through the definitions given and that individuals are expected to be healed through some form of interference. Pope and Talov (1991) also criticised the usage of the term 'handicap'. The word had negative connotations which inferred limitations in performance. They also assert that ICIDH fails to make a clear distinction between disability and handicap planes.

WHO in the light of criticisms brought about the development of the ICIDH-2 which soon after became International Classification of Functioning (ICF) (WHO, 2001) The social and medical models of disability have been integrated in the ICIDH-2. (Finkelstein 1998, Barnes and Mercer, (2004); World Health Organisation, 2002) The aim of the ICF was to create a classification that would be simple enough to be considered by practitioners as a significant description of the consequences of health conditions. Among things it was to be functional and able to identify health care needs, shape intervention programs like prevention or rehabilitation. De Kleijn-De Vrankrijker M, (2003) affirms that the ICF is a better revision of the ICIDH. The language is impartial and the fundamental values very contrasting.

The social model, however, was developed in the 1970's by disabled people. It was a response to basically how society treated disabled people plus their experience of the welfare and health systems which drove them to being segregated and oppressed. Scholars like Vic Finkelstein, Colin Barnes and Mike Oliver gave it a backing. (Shakespeare and Watson 2002) The social model could be said to have been initiated from an essay entitled "critical condition" written by Paul Hunt in 1966. (Light no date). In it Paul Hunt argued that the society regarded non-disabled people highly making disabled people feel unlucky and good for nothing. This might not be an exact view of disable people but one that has been imposed on them. (Fallon 2007)

Almost a decade after Paul Hunt's essay the Union of Physically Impaired Against Segregation (UPIAS) reflected the social model in their definition of impairment and disability. They asserted that disability was 'the disadvantage or restriction of activity caused by a contemporary social organisation which takes little or no account of people who have physical impairments and thus excludes them from participation in the mainstream of social activities.' UPIAS (1976:14) Mike Oliver later teaching a group of social work students coined the term social model in an attempted to introduce ideas in the UPIAS Fundamental Principle. He said focusing on the individual model concept against that of the social model he derived the difference made by UPIAS between impairment and disability. (Mike Oliver 1990)

Making a clear distinction between impairment and the disabling effect of society in relation to impairment is what the social model is about. In that when a person cannot walk it is not his/her inability to walk that disables them but the lack of stairs that are wheel chair inaccessible that disables them. If a person is visually impaired it is not their impairment that disables them but the lack of information in Braille or large print that disables them. Disability can be said in other words to be socially constructed. The social model recognises people with physical, mental or learning difficulties may not be able to function and therefore seek to remove any barriers that limit their functioning. It advocates for disabled people to enjoy equal rights and responsibility. Swain et al (2004) asserts that disability should be considered as a positive benefit not something pitiful. It has been documented from disabled people perspective that being disabled can have benefits.

'Developing' nations is an economical term used to describe medium income economies for the purpose of this essay. It will be used to refer to third world countries as well. It is a term that has many variations for example third world, and the south (Stone 1999). These terms are sometimes frowned upon because they give an impression that western industrialisation or so called 'developed' nations is the yard stick for judging advancement. Stone (1999) alleges that the idea of the west occupying the highest sit in development and rest of the rest world hanging to the sit is inherent. It also refers to a nation or country that does not have a well developed economy and political structure compared to industrialised nations. Their economies are weak but they are making efforts to industrialise and increase income. World Bank Group (2004) define developing nations as countries with average levels of GNP per capita plus 5 high-income developing economies like Hong Kong, Israel, Kuwait, Singapore and United Emirates. Nations that have been defined by World Bank to have low or middle incomes with low living conditions compared to high income nations. (Pearson Education 1995-2005)

Majority world refers to non-westernised countries where often policies and structures are lacking to support the nations. It is the countries who fall outside of the minority world and considered to have income low income per capita, level of economic growth with low indices of life expectancy and education. Katsui (2006) uses the South to refer developing countries and beneficiaries of growth collaboration and North developed countries.

The term Minority world also stands for developed world, western world, the North and industrialised nation. Countries like America, Australia, Germany France, Britain, Netherlands etc that have high level of economic growth according to their income per capita and high gross domestic product per capita. Industrialisation is another economic criteria used to measure growth in these countries. In recent times more outstanding issues like human development index matched with economic weight, national income, other measures, indicators like life expectancy and education have become part of the criteria for measuring which type of world a country is from.

Priestly (2005) puts forward that there has been a remarkable change in the way disability is viewed in European social policy. The minority world has over the years seen the application of social model of disabilities in various laws, policies and strategies. The European Union (EU) (2010) maintains that disabled people should have dignity, basic rights, protection against intolerance, equality, justice and social cohesion. It sees disability as a social construct which fronts intolerance and stigmatisation. Consequently, it is the disabled person's environment that has to change and not the person. The EU has a disability strategy plan (DAP) which guides disabled policies.

The EU wants to see disabled people get involved in disabled affairs and also have more accessibility, job opportunities and self-sufficient living. EU (2010) further asserts that about 80 million Europeans have a disability and cannot enjoy the everyday comforts like riding on a bus, shopping, using the internet and watching television because of barriers put in place. A new strategy to remove these obstacles has been implemented. These statements are certainly underpinned by the social model of disability. They all advocate for a disabled person's environment to be altered to enable them participate fully in society. National Disability Authority (2005) adds its voice to the debate by saying the social model has added to the shift from disability based agendas to a more conventional and inclusive approach.

It is relatively easy to live with impairment in the minority world. The provision the welfare system is a fundamental part of western society and those who benefit from it most are those who unable to work because of ailment. (Overland 2007) If a person lost a limb for example they would be registered disabled as they would be limited in what they could do. Their needs would be taken care of by some sort of income benefit. Fit-for-purpose cars are built for people who have difficulty moving about. Special parking spaces for disabled people are provided making life relatively easy for many disabled people. Architecture supports building design and factors in access ramps. The Disability Equality Duty (DED) in the UK for instance makes public bodies obligated to take into consideration the needs of disabled people when they are planning services. Affirmative attitudes is recommended to be shown towards disabled people and eradicating discrimination. Out-Law (2006) affirm Disability Rights Commission UK's view that this new act would bring a great change to disabled people and will change how public authorities offer their services.

Walking tools are provided for those with balancing difficulties to help support and maintain their balance. Visually impaired are given guard dogs to move around with. They have various assisted technology to help them study and participate in full economic and social activities. Most organisations provide accessible information for the hearing and visually impaired. There are electronic resources that support disabled life. Enabled People website is one of them. It gives information about disabled support, rights and systems. (Bristow 2005) Developed nations and their respective governments make sure that disabled people live normal lives or reduce restrictions placed by disability. They have organisations and networks and people or organisations with political clout lobbying on disabled people's behalf. Disability in Britain was transformed by disabled people's movement in the 1980's. (Hasler 1993)

The European non-governmental organisation, European Disability Forum (EDF) stands for the concerns of 65 million disabled people in Europe. In America effective laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA 1990) regulates disability law and prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in housing, employment and access to public services. The purpose of ADA is to assist disabled people in anyway practicable and to ensure that their human rights and civil liberties have not been abused. It ensures that disabled people have all the comforts non disabled people have like disabled parking space and permits, ramp laws to showers and bathroom installations designed for especially for physically disabled. The law was also to improve quality of life by training both disabled and non disabled.

Social model disability ideology

The social model of disability has become known and thrived within minority or western society but the same cannot be said for many parts of the 'developing' world where development is at its early stage (Hammel 2006; Stone 1997; Miles 1996). In Britain the social model has become a fundamental indicator of disability politics which is used by disabled activist to differentiate among establishments, strategies, regulations and ideas which are advancing whereas others that are not (Shakespeare 2002). The needs and opportunities of people with disabilities in majority world are sometimes entirely divergent from those in minority world and may require various solutions, systems of enquiry and explanations.

The inequity is not a stand alone issue, but has roots in the various ideologies that surround disability in the majority world. Capitalism which controls most of the world economy today is accused of being the under current of poverty in the majority world. Opponents of capitalism raise issue with the fact that per capita GDP is more than 30 times higher in 20 wealthiest nations than in 20 deprived nations (Norberg 2003).

Free markets have allowed various international organisations and individuals to set up home in majority world taking away land and property from original settlers. Eskine (2009) indicates that numerous rich nations are purchasing land from the majority world for future investments. Since 1960 a new global industrialisation has arisen with international corporations operating in offshore outsourcing (Nash J and Fernandez-Kelly 1983). This has caused people who use to rely on agriculture; fishing and petty trading to lose their livelihood pushing them into poverty. Poverty is a major cause of disability in majority world as simple diseases like diabetes cannot be managed making people blind. Lack and disabling impairments are expressly connected and half of disabilities can be averted as they are poverty orientated (Thomas 2005)..

Oliver (1999) asserts that the repression of disabled people is ingrained in the economic and social formation of capitalism. Other social commentators have also argued that free market is a good thing and that developing countries will benefit from this freedom. People will be able to travel freely and immigrate to other countries. They would also be able to trade with who ever they wish to trade with. It is argued that consumers will have a wider choice and businesses will be able to lower their cost by hiring workers from other countries. Furthermore, organisations setting up home in majority world will bring more work to the society and people will be able to learn new skills, social links and cultures but are these arguments not entrenched in colonialism or neo colonialism? Nkrumah (1965) asserts that neo-colonialism is the most damaging form of imperialism because those who engage in it have power but not accountability leaving those at the brunt of it exploited with no way of putting things right.

Examples are, in the mid 20th century in places like Africa where nations obtained independence from their European masters but found that they were not totally free from the influence of their colonial powers. Governments were undermined using destruction tools like propaganda, coup d'états and the nomination of specific people into positions of influence (Hanlon 1991). When loans are given to nations for instance the terms come with strict restrictions on many occasions. Corporations with political clout forces governments to enjoy special concessions like tax exemptions, protected trade tariffs and flouting environmental directives. Likewise, history and culture of local people are not taken into consideration when foreign aid programs are drawn.

Imperialism, described as the ultimate form of capitalism has also influenced the majority world in all sorts of ways. Imperialism has come out as an extension of the basic parts of capitalism (Lenin 1916). Socio-political systems have made the world an unfair place and this inequality is constantly represented in global relationships where the rich and poor nations fight for the same resources and the improvement of their citizens. More so, if a nation is able to get in the lead by maximising its resources, technology and power then it becomes a super power and rules the others who could not. This gap then becomes a divide which has been termed the North-South gap. This ruler and ruled concept did not happen suddenly, but an outcome of years of unequal treatment. Wallerstein (no date) posits that difference is a basic truth about today's world systems as is of past world systems.

Even though Imperialist rule has long gone distribution of resources and power is still uneven. Global south is still being exploited and continues to trail behind the super powers with all types of international insecurities like starvation, disease, civil war and the digital divide (Fong 2009; Compaine 2001). This inequality produces continuous discrimination making majority nations more impoverished. The gap means the rich minority world has been able to create powers that in effect control the poor majority world. Organisations like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) who over the years have designed policies and strategies which are difficult for majority world to follow (Barnes and Mercer 2005).

In social model of disability there are two main schools of thought. Those who believe that capitalism has contributed to the oppression of disabled people on one hand and those who believe that disability is as a result of an inherent believe in culture, attitude and prejudice (Sheldon et al., 2007; Barnes and Mercer 2005).The former, materialist, believes that the economic and political structures put in place in society have largely contributed to disabilism. Therefore political effort is desired to effect fundamental changes of an unequal system designed by capitalism. The latter, Idealist believes that disabled people are excluded from society purely because of lack of thought than anything else and in that sense a redress can be sought with education and addressing people's attitudes without changing legislation that excludes people from everyday activities and inaccessible infrastructure. This line of argument supports the improving of existing social systems.

Disability in the majority world

According to the World Health Organisation 650 million people are disabled in the world. Of this total, 80% live in developing countries, 20% of them are the poorest in the world. Out of these figures only 2 - 3% of disabled children have access to education (Youthink n.d). These figures are significant and make uncomfortable reading. Katsui (2006) gives further insight by stating that according to the United Nations (2000) and San (1999) Out of 80% disabled people living in the developing world only 2% receive some type of help. He further asserts that disabled people who live in the south are mainly uncared for by the governments and global society. Godrej D (2005) posits that in the majority world people with disabilities are not at the top of the priority list.

In the majority world disabled people face multiple challenges, the overarching being poverty and social discrimination. WaterAid (n.d) indicates that it is not disabled people surroundings that cause a problem but societal inequity. It goes on to say that they usually do not have adequate rights to clean surroundings. Poverty has left many disabled people majority world in squalid environments which is deplorable. Yeo (2001); Coleridge (1993) states that suffering high levels of poverty is not the only problem for people, but the likelihood of acquiring an impairment. Furthermore, people with ailments normally have little rights to property, medical care, healthy food, accommodation, schooling and work.

Lack of thorough diagnosis of ailment and on going medical care is another challenge for the disabled in the developing world. Impairments like Down syndrome can be detected in the womb but this fairly sophisticated equipment can be lacking. Routine conditions which are taken for granted in the minority world cause complications in childbirth which often leads to brain damage and other physical disabilities for babies and their mothers. Baylies (2002) Pregnant mothers who for instance abuse alcohol are often not aware of the harm they causing their unborn children. A large number of mental impairments are acquired because of Iodine deficiency or poor nutrition.

Disabled people are normally very deprived and frequently reside in places where health care and other facilities are hard to come by or does not exist leaving some disabilities undiscovered and others not discovered on time.(United Nations Enable 2006) Disabled people are less likely to be employed in many developing countries. Many resort to begging in the streets to support themselves and their families as most of the time there are no structures put in place to support them in employment. Income is scant, dwindling and unequally allocated among disabled people. Transportation is another challenge as cars, lorries, buses, trains are not accessible for disabled people in developing countries. Savill et al (2003) argues that not having a way to travel is challenging for disabled people as it makes finding a job hard and it also restricts social and leisure awareness.

Cultural issues also affect the perception of disability in many parts of the majority world. Often times, ignorance, superstition and fear causes people to see disability as a curse from God. In some parts of the majority world disabled people are seen as sub-human and unhealthy to join in community activities. Some are ashamed of their disabled relatives and hide them depriving them of any prospects whiles others view them as supreme beings and worship them.

Disabled people hardly form part of the political process in the majority world. They are often missed in the process of making decisions in communities and governments. Some even don't have the basic right to vote in elections because of difficulties in getting access and information. Most of the time, they are not consulted on subjects and decisions concerning them.

Relevance of Social Model in majority world

Advocators of the social model emphasizes that discrimination against disabled people is socially constructed and has little to do with their impairments. Meaning that disabled people in the majority world can live more like their non disabled peers if social barriers like inaccessible roads, transport, schools, hospitals and churches were adapted to accommodate them. Barnes (2009) states that disability is a social problem which has been worsened by globalisation and that the answer to the difficulties disabled people face in the developing world will probably remain the same if fundamental changes do not occur at local and global stages. Albert (1997) affirms that the social model has given rise to awareness among the disabled people to forge a common front to fight for their basic rights.

Social model of disability's relevance in the majority world has been questioned by a number of academicians. Grech (2009) criticises the social model saying it is challenging for cultures because it for a certain period and speaks for certain class of disabled people in the minority world. She further argues that applying the social model in communities where source of revenue is based on household economies is debatable. Edgerton (1970) describes in his East African research how different communities across East Africa view people with mental impairments. Some show prejudice, others welcome them whiles others revere them. It has been argued that these cultural differences would make the adaptation of the social model of disability difficult. Albert and Hurst (1997) refutes this argument asserting that many local customs like genital mutilations and killing of infants are acceptable in certain cultures but can it be accepted? This is affirmed by Baird (2005) when she interviews Tomás Hernández a disabled activist from Nicaragua who highlighted on the changes that took place in Managua after wheel chair users demonstrated, realising they could not go to work without help. This demonstration had a positive effect where the sitting government took measures to lower kerbs and built ramps to accommodate wheel chair users.

Social model of disability is also accused of not taking into account the impairments of disabled people. Albert and Hurst (1997) assert that this a major problem for the minority world how much more the majority world but they defuse this statement by arguing that the statement is raised by able bodied people who have no idea of what if means to live with impairments. Thomas, Gradwell and Markham (1997), and Oliver (1996) state that the social model of disability does not overlook impairment but refuses to give it attention. Opponents like Crow (1996) and French (1993) question the reason: the word impairment is being overlooked and calls for it to be brought to the fore as it is a fundamental part of being disabled. Albert and Hurst (1997) further argue that the social model of disability does not overlook the source of disability rather it advocates for the removal of social constructs like poverty and wars that easily beset people.

Disabled people in minority world have basic needs and therefore are able to fight for social rights whereas their compatriots in majority world lack even the basic needs (Werner 1998 cited in Albert and Hurst 1997 p27). Charowa (2005) posits that disabled people in Zimbabwe are frequently not able to acquire personal aids so they use of makeshift wheel chairs. Albert and Hurst (1997) however, argue that the social model of disability is not western phenomena and a large percentage of its out spoken proponents come from the majority world. Schmidt (2010) indicates that specialist equipment that will require the use of energy will not be helpful to the 1.5 billion people who are poor. International Energy Agency forecast that 1.3 out of the 1.5 poor people will not have access to energy until 20 years time. This is a dim prospect for poor disabled people living in the majority world.

Another point raised against the relevance of the social model of disability in the developing world is the matter of difference. Where for example, the physical impaired are treated better than people with mental impairments.(Seddon, lang and Daines 2001 cited in Albert and Hurst, 1997, p28) Hurst (2000) denies this and states that this is not simply the case as critics have ignored the fact that a large percentage of those who are spearheading disability establishments hail from majority world. A large number of them are women and were raised from humble backgrounds. Grech (2009) queries the idea that the social model of disability seems to state that all people with impairment are exploited and left out. Albert and Hurst (1997) posits that this query is absurd as the social model theory has never laid claim that disabled people are all the same.

Some academicians have observed that poverty in developing world impedes the establishment of the social model of disability Grech 2009; Albert and Hurst 1997) People in the majority world are struggling to survive let alone fight for their social rights. Baird (1992) reiterates a Zimbabwean disabled activist's Joshua Malinga comments on independent living a tenet of social model of disability. He laments that when the minority world is discussing Independent living and other opportunities they are discussing how to live. Others like Grech (2009) highlights on how the social model of disability does not take into account the socio-religious backgrounds of the majority world. Religion and faith structures in many parts of the majority world play a vital role as the whole of life is sometimes interpreted through it. Religion shapes traditions, behaviour and even folk stories. To ignore it is to cut off an essential part of society.

Ladd (2003) accuses the social model of having the views of individualism. Hofstede (1991) describes individualism as the extent to which cohesiveness between individuals within a cultural set up are loose. That is to say cultures where persons are expected to look after themselves and the immediate family. The social model of disability works at giving disabled people the right to participate in society with little or no reliance on organisations, family or friends. The development of the independent living philosophy for example accelerates the disable person towards individualism. However, one of the seven needs of independent living is to gain peer support invalidating the philosophy of individualism.

The social model of disability may have little or no relevance in the majority world partly because of the way Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) operate. NGOs have officially been in existence since the Second World War. Malena writing for the World Bank describes NGOs as

"private organizations that pursue activities to relieve suffering, promote the interests of the poor, protect the environment, provide basic social services or undertake community development" (Malena 1995:7)

It is in looking after the poor, constructing roads, building hospitals, educating children and more that non governmental organisations have been accused of interfering (Hanlon 1991; Manji and O'Coil 2005). Fitzpatrick (2008); Mansbach and Rhodes (2009) purports that today's NGOs are funded by rich countries. This enables them to assist war torn countries like Afghanistan, Sudan and Somalia in providing humanitarian aid but being funded by the governments makes these organisations come across as puppets. Often foreign strategies are introduced to the developing world without taking into consideration the socio-economic factors which subsequently leads countries into the umbrella of neo-colonisation or in the case of disabled people disability (Sheldon 2010). Mansbach and Rhodes (2009) state that NGOs often do things that authority are not able or refuse to do. Kisanji (1995) ; Suttle (2009) states that NGOs have brought both good and bad providence to the developing world. Many disabled people have been provided with education and relief schemes through the efforts of the NGOs.


Idayah Miller is an 11 year old girl from Norbury, London who has been refused a place in a top South London academy because the academy thinks among other things she will be a hazard (Walley 2010). Birrell (2010) states that Idayan's story has familiar connotations as many disabled people grow up to find they have no credentials. Sheldon (2010) acknowledges that disabled people in wealthy countries are living in abject scarcity, don't often get to use facilities provided for disabled people and are overlooked by the scholarly, strategist and disabled activist. This is outrageous in the developed world where the social model of disability was birthed and preeminent the disability debate. If, developed countries like Britain, with many effective disability laws and policies to guide its government, organisations and people are still failing people with impairments, then little can be said for developing nations.

The social model analysis of disability offers that poverty, incommodity and social segregation known to numerous disabled people is not as a consequence of their impairments but instead evolves from attitudinal and environmental barriers placed in the society. In the developing world there are many barriers that make people with impairments disabled. They are mainly architectural and communication. Many nations do not have things like accessible telephones, wash basins, switches, toilets, information in Braille, signage, railings, lowered kerbs and ramps just to mention a few. Most countries in the majority world are fighting poverty, debt and political instability. Therefore top priorities do not usually include building a sensitive environment for the disabled (Godrej, 2005). Disabled people in the developing world are amongst the world's poorest (United Nations 2008) and poverty is closely connected with disability (Yeo, R and K Moore 2003).

The social model of disability might have been designed in the minority world for middle class physically disabled Caucasians' and seems to fit into their individualised culture but if applied appropriately could bring equality, rights and integration. Oliver (1990) asserts that the social model of disability is an instrument which can be used to gain understanding of things that disable in society so that strategies and customs can be designed to combat them. The social model of disability is relevant in developing countries however; there are cost implications in implementing all these strategies. Educating a disabled child for instance is more expensive than educating a a child who is not disabled (Jonsson T and R Wiman 2001). It cost more to make a building disabled friendly (Engelbrecht 2009).There are also cultural and religious barriers to overcome.