I enjoyed reading the whole Kaplan article, she mentions stereotypes a few times which got me thinking how the models often lead to stereotypes of people with disabilities.

Medical Model – sick role = excused from certain activities (Kaplan, 2000), currently somewhat scapegoated as fraudsters have permeated benefit-related aspects.  Stereotypes from victim to criminal to sponger.  In this model a disabled person is expected to rely on medical support to ‘improve’ or be ‘cured’.

Rehabilitation Model (related to Medical Model)   – disabilities are/may be ameliorated by professional supports.  Popularised by WWII war veterans and currently Paralympians (less publicised but related Special Olympians) – 2 heroic stereotypes I wouldn’t want to feel under pressure to emulate when I might just prefer to live my unremarkable life.

Social Model – States the environment is the disabling factor.   Doesn’t stereotype?

Charity Model – charity case, back to victim stereotype, someone who needs help…