in English - Handicap International

EMPLOYMENT
We will give you
rehabilitation so you
will no longer face
barriers!
The main idea of this model is that the “patient” recovers his or her health
and functionality to the greatest extent possible, in order to carry out the
activities of daily life and to work in some productive activity (a job). According
to this paradigm, the disability is resolved through rehabilitation,
as if the person had no other needs. Or stated another way: the disability
is seen mainly as a health problem.
In the view of this biological model (also known as the medical or rehabilitation
model), the person who receives rehabilitation must follow
the recommendations and orientations of the professional team, without
questioning anything. This model has utilized and continues to utilize
concepts such as “normalization” and “integration” of people with disabilities.
“Normalization” is the idea that people with deficiencies should achieve
(often, as stated by professionals) “an existence as close to normal as
possible.” Moreover, the concept of “integration” associated with disabled
people arises mainly in the school environment. “All children have
the right to attend a regular school near their home, without exception.”
Over time, the principle of integration moved beyond the educational
realm and expanded into other fields. This led to the idea of disabled
people’s “social integration” and “employment integration.”
It’s important to note that this biological model was adopted by most
professionals working in some way with disabilities, who have had a great
influence on this field. Thus, many laws, policies and actions in our countries
have the seal of the biological model, even though many of the
attitudes and much of the behavior in our societies correspond to the
conceptions associated with the traditional model.
11