I’m trying to understand the difference between the Interactional and Social Model via a concrete example. I’m short-sighted, and without my glasses I can’t see my kids in a crowd. Both models agree that my myopia is an impairment. It is reasonable for society to accommodate my impairment. by making sure I have money to buy corrective lenses. But there are still occasions when I am not wearing glasses, for example when I go swimming.
(Yes, I should go buy prescription swim goggles, please leave that to one side)
Reality
Interactional Model
Social Model
I am short-sighted
I am impaired
I am impaired
I can’t see my kids
I am disabled
I have an unaccommodated impairment
I can’t see my kids because someone who hates short-sighted people hid my glasses
I am disabled by the interaction of my impairment and discrimination
I am disabled by discrimination
I can’t see my kids because I chose to take off my glasses to go swimming
I am disabled by the interaction of my impairment and my choice
I have an unaccommodated impairment but I am not disabled
Is that right?
Is there any disagreement about base reality between the two models, or is it a disagreement about the best way to use words? If the latter, can we use A Human’s Guide to Words to understand when to use each model?
I’m trying to understand the difference between the Interactional and Social Model via a concrete example. I’m short-sighted, and without my glasses I can’t see my kids in a crowd. Both models agree that my myopia is an impairment. It is reasonable for society to accommodate my impairment. by making sure I have money to buy corrective lenses. But there are still occasions when I am not wearing glasses, for example when I go swimming.
(Yes, I should go buy prescription swim goggles, please leave that to one side)
Is that right?
Is there any disagreement about base reality between the two models, or is it a disagreement about the best way to use words? If the latter, can we use A Human’s Guide to Words to understand when to use each model?