Part A – Focusing on the social model of disability, discuss the ways in which the physical environment can make a difference to the lives of people who have care needs and those who support them.
During this essay I will be firstly discussing the meaning of the social model of disability. Also examining the ways in which the physical environment can make a positive or negative impact, not only to the lives of the people who have care needs but also to the people who support them. I will illustrate this by using the case study of Veronica and David from the West Midlands to show you how adaptations in the home can lead to a more positive outcome. (Block 4, Unit 13, DVD) In addition, I will then finally discuss how barriers can arise due to the physical environment not being taken into consideration when designing the layout of a care setting using the Evelinas Hospital (Block 4, Unit 13, DVD) and the Seven Oaks (Block 4, Unit 15, DVD) as relevant examples.
It’s suggested that the social model of disability is of the opinion that people with a disability are more likely to be subjected to environmental, attitudinal and structural factors. Barriers can be built, excluding people with care needs from being part of society rather than whatever their particular impairment is. For instance, a disabled person who can only use a wheelchair may not be able to access their local community day centre because of lack of ramps or lifts for them to use, this is then becomes a physical barrier of the environment. Disabled academics Oliver, (1990) and Finkelstein, (1998) cited in (Peace, 2010, p. 24) developed the social model of disability arguing that barriers had to be overcome if people were to live integrated lives in the community. (Peace 2010, p.24)
The physical environment involves the structure and design of care settings, this plays a vital role in health and social care which has a huge impact on the person’s identity and well-being. It can be seen as either...