The Affirmative Model of Disability: A Means to Include Disability Orientation in Occupational Therapy?

Abstract

Disability orientation is a missing concept in occupational therapy. Disability orientation describes a person's interpretation of his or her disability experience and his or her perceptions of the meaning of being disabled. One orientation is that of affirmation, which originates in the affirmative model. This takes a non-tragic view of disability and impairment, and rejects the assumption that disability is necessarily negative. Instead, those with an affirmative orientation view disability as difference that can be celebrated and can enrich life. Since occupational therapists may work with people with an affirmative disability orientation, understanding and acceptance of this orientation could support client-centred practice.