The Social Model of Disability

The Social Model of Disability

This links to our Social Model of Disability resources page which contains videos and examples of how to introduce and teach the Social Model of Disability.

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Stella Young TED Talk Lesson Plan
11th grade, 12th grade, college and beyond Sharon Pennock 11th grade, 12th grade, college and beyond Sharon Pennock

Stella Young TED Talk Lesson Plan

Students will watch Stella Young’s TED Talk where she breaks down society's habit of turning disabled people into ‘inspiration porn’” and process why disabled people are often thought to be inspirational for achieving very ordinary things. This inspiration is actually pity in disguise and they’ll discuss the implications for that idea. Students will reflect on their own perceptions of disability and how it aligns with the thoughts shared in the TED video

Image description: Photo looking up at Stella Young

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Thinking Critically about Disability  - Social Media Lesson
9th grade, 10th grade, 11th grade, 12th grade Sharon Pennock 9th grade, 10th grade, 11th grade, 12th grade Sharon Pennock

Thinking Critically about Disability - Social Media Lesson

When Stephen Hawking passed away, many artists processed the loss through art. Their art depicts disability from multiple perspectives. In this activity students will explore 2 contrasting images. Take note of the details and how the images depict Stephen Hawking and his physical disability. Both of the images are from Twitter and students may have already seen both of the images just scrolling through their phones. Students will explore elements of art, social studies and psychology in this lesson. The focus of the discussion is up to individual educators.

Image description: illustration of Stephen Hawking, seated in his motorized wheelchair, floating above the earth with other planets in the background

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