There are two contrasting views:
the Medical Model and the Social Model

This defines disability at a physical level and considers the limitations of impairment in relation to what a ‘fit and healthy’ body might be like.

This has been widely criticised as it says nothing about the barriers within society that exclude and oppress disabled people.

This says that people are not disabled by impairment but rather by the barriers, both in environment and attitude, that disable people. Thus disability is something that is added to an individual's impairment and causes isolation and exclusion from society.

The Model opposed the traditional view of disability as a tragedy and as something that needed extensive therapy. It has led to a change in thinking about disability and has forced an examination of society's exclusion of disabled people.

This Act has been a positive achievement. But, although service providers now advertise accessible services, many still spread disablement. The disability movement now recognises that society welcomes ability, but not disability.