University of Wisconsin Stout | Wisconsin's Polytechnic University

Mission

The university of Wisconsin-Stout recognizes disability as an aspect of diversity and is committed to creating equal access and opportunity to all campus programs and services for persons with disabilities.

A New Paradigm of Service Provision

In the past, many Disability Service providers developed their service and philosophical constructs on the tenets of the medical model. It may have been effective at one time in providing access, but it reinforces a "separate but equal" system rather than full inclusion within a community of peers. It does not provide an avenue for the development of self-determination or disability pride for the person receiving services. Through on-going exploration and discussion, the Association of Higher Education and Disability is providing a forum for its members and the students served to adopt the social-political model of disability as well as Universal Design principles.

Conceptual Models of Disability*

Medical Model (OLD)

Disability is a deficiency or abnormality.

Being disabled is negative.

Disability resides in the individual.

The remedy for disability related problems is cure or normalization of the individual.

The agent of remedy is the professional.

International/Socio-Political Model (NEW)

Disability is a difference.

Being disabled, in itself, is neutral.

Disability derives from the interaction between the individual and society.

The remedy for disability related problems is a change in the interaction between the individual and society.

The agent of remedy is the individual, an advocate , or anyone who affects the arrangements between the individual and society.

 *Caril J.Gill, Chicago Institute of Disability Research
Association on Higher Education and Disability