Questions to Assess Model of Disability (Double-Sided)
Adapted from:
Olkin, Rhoda. (1999). What psychotherapists should know about disability. New York: Guilford
Press. (Table 7.1; p. 171).
Moral Model:
How do you feel about your disability?
Do you feel shame or embarrassment about your disability?
Do you feel you bring dishonor to the family?
Do you try to hide or minimize the disability as much as possible?
Do you try to make as few demands on others as possible, because it’s “your problem,”
and hence your responsibility?
Do you try to make your disability inconspicuous?
Do you think your disability is a test of your faith, or as a way to prove your faith?
Do you think of your disability is a punishment for your or your family’s failings?
Medical Model
Compared to FDR’s time, do you think that life for persons with disabilities has
improved tremendously?
Do you think even FDR wouldn’t have to hide his disability today?
Do you try to make as few demands on others as possible, because you think you should
be able to find a way to do it yourself?
Do you dress in ways to maximize your positive features and minimize the visibility of
your disability?
Do you believe that the major goals of research should be to prevent disabilities and find
cures for those who already have disabilities?
Do you think that persons with disabilities do best when fully integrated into nondisabled
community?
Social/Minority Model:
Do you identify yourself as part of a minority group of persons with disabilities?
Do you feel kinship and belonging with other persons with disabilities?
Do you think not enough is being done to ensure rights of persons with disabilities?
When policies and legislation are new do you evaluate them for their effects on persons
with disabilities?
Do you think the major goals of research should be to improve the lives of persons with
disabilities by changing policies procedures, funding, and laws?
Do you think that persons with disabilities do best when they are free to associate in both
the disabled and nondisabled communities, as bicultural people?
From (Olkin, 1998). National Rehabilitation Hospital Press.