People with disabilities have an extensive relationship with oppression through history. For as long as humans have existed, those who don't fit the norm also have, and were shunned. But it was in recent history too that we saw such cruel oppression.

In Chicago, IL, an archaic law from 1881 was allowed to remain on the books until 1974 that was known as an "unsightly beggar ordinance," later coined an "Ugly law." Many cities across the United States had such ordinances, but Chicago kept theirs the longest. It read as follows:

Any person who is diseased, maimed, mutilated, or in any way deformed, so as to be an unsightly or disgusting object, or an improper person to be allowed in or on the streets, highways, thoroughfares, or public places in the city, shall not therein or thereon expose himself or herself to public view, under the penalty of a fine of $1 for each offense. (*note that $1 in 1881 was worth about $29.05 now in 2022)

It's essential for any ally to understand the dire circumstances our community has lived through. To do that, they must have a foundational knowledge of disability rights history as well as the different theories of disability that exist.

The 5 models of disability that follow are the most classical, but have led to harmful stigma and microaggressions and have been less than supportive of the disabled community.

Economic Model of Disability

Commonly used to determine eligibility for government benefits such as Social Security Disability Income and Medicaid, disability is defined by a person's potential ability to contribute financially to the economy. Unfortunately, if we use our indoctrinated assumptions of inability to calculate a person's potential to earn, we are not going to have particularly favorable outcomes.

Medical Model of Disability

Disability is a problem residing in the person that needs to be cured. Individuals are sufferers and patients, not seen as full human beings with multifaceted interests and needs.

Rehabilitation Model of Disability

Like the medical model, disabled folks are deficient and need fixing. The main difference is that the onus is more on the individual than on the practitioner. If they cannot overcome the disability, they've not worked enough or have failed.

Religious Model of Disability

Disability is punishment for a person's sins or those of their family. Regardless, the affected person is seen as morally flawed and they ought to be shunned, avoided, and hidden away.

Tragedy/Charity Model of Disability

This model has the most potential danger. Disabled people are viewed as victims, deserving of pity, and in need of special care. This viewpoint can lead to excessive isolation, institutionalization, sterilization, assisted suicides, unnecessary medical procedures, and so on.

Tomorrow, I will introduce the Customer/Empowering, Interface, Rights-Based, Social, and Disability Pride Models of Disability. I'll talk about an overdue shift in mentality from this historical one of presuming incompetence to one of welcoming possibilities.. I look forward to your feedback!