Model Of Disability

During the last decade in many countries can be witnessed an intensive change of attitudes towards disability (Kuodyte et al., 2012). In the past, the medical model of disability was generally accepted. However, it has been successfully challenged by new disability studies that explore disability in social and cultural terms as a social construct (Titchkosky, 2000). The social model emerged as public reaction and criticism of the medical model. Specifically in the UK people with disabilities felt that medical model was too much focused on functional limitations, while there was a need for new approach that took barriers in the society into account (Hughes, 2002, Gronvik, 2007). Therefore, previously prevailing medical approach to disability
The new social model raises the importance of environmental adaptation, by differentiating between involvement within a therapeutic protective frame (capacity) and actual participation within the community (performance) (Mizra, et al., 2006). As a result of social model, disability began to be perceived as a social rather than a personal problem. Consequently, it is society's responsibility to allow all its members, including those with disabilities, to participate by right and not as a matter of empathy (Beauregard et al., 2001). Overall, according to the medical model, person with disability should be modified and adapted to society; whilst according to the social model, successful integration is only depended on the change of the social standards and perceptions (Bagdonas et al., 2008, Stiker et al.,
This number is getting closer to the population of the second largest Lithuanian city - Kaunas. It means that disability directly affects every twelfth Lithuanian citizen, and indirectly even more. The majority of people with disabilities (57 per cent) have 30 – 40 per cent working ability and 25 per cent has 45 – 55 per cent working ability. These percentages are important to mention, as they indicate the number of people with disabilities, who are participating in the labor market and are interested in employment (Okunevičiūtė Neverauskienė,