What’s Missing in the Social Model of Disability?
The social model alone does not capture the complex, multi-directional dynamics that impede the attainment of equity for at least some people with disabilities. Systemic inequities, and resulting hardship and trauma, may be creating disabilities for some people. For example, people may have cognitive disabilities as a result of exposure to lead in water or paint in places that are supposed to be safe, such as home and school, and mental health disabilities as a result of intergenerational trauma stemming from systemic racism or profound isolation.