Models of Disability
This model views disability as a result of individual impairments that need to be fixed or cured.
What is the medical model of disability?
This landmark U.S. law, passed in 1990, prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities and requires PT clinics to be physically accessible.
What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?
This historically medical term was used to describe people with intellectual disabilities but has since been recognized as offensive and replaced with terms like "intellectual disability" or "cognitive disability."
What is "mentally retarded"?
This type of design ensures that clinic spaces, equipment, and services are accessible to all patients, regardless of ability, without needing special modifications.
What is universal design?
This U.S. President, who led the country through the Great Depression and World War II, used a wheelchair due to polio.
Who is Franklin D. Roosevelt?
This dated model views disability as a failing or test of faith, often leading to concealment or shame.
What is the Moral Model of Disability?
This law, signed in 1973, was one of the first to mandate that federally funded programs, including hospitals and clinics, provide accommodations for people with disabilities.
What is the Rehabilitation Act of 1973?
Often used to describe something boring or uncool, this word originally referred to individuals with mobility impairments and is now considered ableist.
What is "lame"?
To improve communication with patients who are Deaf or hard of hearing, physical therapists should provide these two accommodations when needed.
What are sign language interpreters and written/visual instructions?
This British theoretical physicist and author of A Brief History of Time used a wheelchair due to ALS.
Who is Stephen Hawking?
This model emphasizes the role of societal barriers and attitudes in disabling individuals, rather than focusing solely on impairments.
What is the social model of disability?
This law ensures that children with disabilities receive appropriate physical therapy services as part of their education plan in schools.
What is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)?
Instead of saying someone is "wheelchair-bound," this more accurate and respectful term should be used to emphasize their mobility and independence.
What is "wheelchair user"?
When scheduling appointments, physical therapists should ask patients about these to ensure individualized and equitable care.
What are accessibility needs and accommodations?
A former NASCAR driver and disability rights activist, this woman became the first paraplegic to compete in an IndyCar race.
Who is Sam Schmidt?
This framework by the World Health Organization integrates both medical and social aspects to understand disability.
What is the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)?
This federal law requires PT clinics to provide effective communication aids, such as sign language interpreters or captioning, for patients with hearing impairments.
What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III?
Instead of referring to someone as "deaf and dumb," the preferred term that respects their communication ability and identity is this.
What is "Deaf" or "a person who is Deaf/Hard of Hearing"?
Ensuring digital documents and websites use proper contrast, alt text, and accessible navigation is part of this practice.
What is digital accessibility?
This disability rights activist helped lead the 504 Sit-In, co-founded the World Institute on Disability, and was a key figure in the independent living movement.
Who is Judith Heumann?
Roush and Sharby (2011) highlight this contradiction where physical therapists aim to reduce impairments while also recognizing disability as a form of diversity.
What is the paradox of physical therapy?
Under this section of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), healthcare providers, including PTs, must ensure non-discriminatory access to healthcare services for individuals with disabilities.
What is Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act?
This word, commonly used to mean "erratic" or "out of control," comes from a medical condition affecting people with cerebral palsy and is now considered offensive.
What is "spaz" or "spastic"?
Instead of assuming a patient’s abilities or limitations based on their diagnosis, physical therapists should use this approach to tailor treatment plans.
What is patient-centered care or functional assessment?
This Brazilian Paralympic athlete, known as "The Bullet," is a multiple-time gold medalist in wheelchair racing.
Who is Terezinha Guilhermina?