1.3. Models for inclusion

‘Inclusive education in Scotland starts from the belief that education is a human right and the foundation for a more just society. An inclusive approach, with an appreciation of diversity and an ambition for all to achieve to their full potential, is essential to getting it right for every child and raising attainment for all. Inclusion is the cornerstone to help us achieve equity and excellence in education for all of our children and young people.’

The flexibility of the Scottish curriculum and guidelines which include both the 5-14 Curriculum and Curriculum for Excellence have provided opportunities for inclusive approaches within mainstream schools to be better understood by all stakeholders and implemented into practice. The development of inclusive practice has been and continues to be a journey and one which is linked to understanding the overlap between disability and additional support needs which have been highlighted in module 2.

There are a number of ‘models’ of disability which have been defined over recent years. The two which are most frequently discussed and highlighted are the ‘social’ and the ‘medical’ models of disability; other models have evolved and developed from these 2 models. This module will focus on the 2 most commonly referred to models.

Module 2, Section 1.5, introduced the models of disability. Here they are explained further.

Medical model of disability

The medical model of disability says that people are disabled by their impairments or differences. The social model of disability says that disability is caused by the way society is organised.

Under the medical model, impairments or differences should be ‘fixed’ or changed by medical and other treatments, even when the impairment or difference does not cause pain or illness.

The medical model looks at what is ‘wrong’ with the person and not what the person needs. It creates low expectations and leads to people losing independence, choice and control in their own lives.

Social model of disability

The social model of disability says that disability is caused by the way society is organised, rather than by a person’s impairment or difference. It looks at ways of removing barriers that restrict life choices for disabled people. When barriers are removed, disabled people can be independent and equal in society, with choice and control over their own lives.

Disabled people developed the social model of disability because the traditional medical model did not explain their personal experience of disability or help to develop more inclusive ways of living.

The social model of disability is more in line with the vision for inclusion in Scotland for all our learners - both disabled and non-disabled. The social model is more inclusive in approach for the following reasons

• Anticipatory thought is given to how disabled people can participate in activities on an equal footing with non-disabled people. Certain adjustments are made, even where this involves time or money, to ensure that disabled people are not excluded.
• The Scottish educational context also supports this model. All 3 modules highlight the range of educational and equality legislation along with the policies which have inclusion within their foundation and support a ‘needs led’ inclusive education system for all learners.