Capabilities and disability: the capabilities framework and the social model of disability

Author:
BURCHARDT Tania
Journal article citation:
Disability and Society, 19(7), December 2004, pp.735-751.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis

Seeks to illuminate the complementarity between the capabilities framework, developed by Amartya Sen and others, and the social model of disability. Common themes include the relationship between social barriers and individual limitations, the importance of autonomy and the value of freedom, and dissatisfaction with income as a measure of well-being. Bringing the 2 approaches together has implications for analysis (for example in identifying poverty or disadvantage), and for policy, which are briefly illustrated. Concludes that the capabilities framework provides a more general theoretical framework in which to locate the social model of disability, without compromising any of its central tenets; and the social model provides a thorough-going application of the capabilities framework. Each can benefit from exposure to the other.

Subject terms:
physical disabilities, social model;
Content type:
research
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
1360-0508
ISSN print:
0968-7599

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