
Disability is a socially constructed phenomenon and is subject to change. Impairment has a biological basis. Individuals can be one without the other. Thus, having an impairment does not automatically imply someone is disabled.  


Distinguishing the Terms Disability and Impairment



The Disability Civil Rights Movement understands marginalization as a structural boundary that occurs in formal, impersonal settings. This results in stigmatization on an interactional level.


Marginalization Versus Stigmatization 


- Disability versus Impairment 
- Stigmatization versus marginalization 



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This phase consists of explaining the problem and where the problem originates from. 


Phase One: defining the problem 

The Development of the Disability Rights Movement as a Social Problem Solver | Disability Studies Quarterly. (n.d.). Retrieved September 12, 2022, from https://dsq-sds.org/article/view/399/545

The Development of the Disability Rights Movement as a Social Problem Solver 

The plausibility structure refers to sociocultural beliefs and practices that imply certain meanings to various constructs. Therefore, in terms of disability, the plausibility structure describes normalized sociocultural norms and attitudes related to impairment. These beliefs can be prosocial or prejudicial. 

Definition of Plausibility Structure in Terms of Disability 


Defining Relevant Constructs to Help Outline the Problem 


During this phase, the disability civil rights movement defined the problem in terms of the social mistreatment people with disabilities face as a result of social organization and structure. 


Introduction of the Disability Civil Rights Movement


Because the medical model presumes disability to be a personal problem, it ignores variations in illness and impairment. Thus, impairment is not always temporary and does the fit Parsons “sick role” criteria because this theory does not account for those with chronic illness.

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