Disability is understood in different ways. One popular
way within the context of exercise is through the
medical model. That model defines disability as any
lack of ability resulting from impairment to perform an
activity within the range considered normal for a person.
Disability is ‘caused’ by parts of the body that are
lacking or do not work ‘properly.’ Exercise is then
understood as an effective means to manage, control, or
reverse bodily problems. The problem with the medical
model is that disabled people are depicted in negative
ways, as defective, abnormal, and living a tragic existence
that must be managed, controlled, or overcome.
The social relational model understands disability as a
form of social oppression involving the social imposition
of restrictions of activity on people with impairments
and the socially engendered undermining of their
emotions and wellbeing. The focus then in the social
relational model in the context of exercise is to identify
and challenge the oppression people with impairments
face and to work with them to create solutions across
society and within social relationships that restrict their
opportunities to exercise. A third way to understand
disability is through the United Nations’ Convention on
the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPWD).
Unlike the social relational model, the UNCRPWD is
underpinned by eight principles: (1) respect for inherent
dignity, individual autonomy including the freedom to
make one’s own choices, and independence of persons;
(2) nondiscrimination; (3) full and effective participation
and inclusion in society; (4) respect for difference
and acceptance of disabled people as part of human
diversity and humanity; (5) equality of opportunity; (6)
accessibility; (7) equality between men and women;
and (8) respect for the evolving capacities of disabled
children and the right of disabled children to preserve
their identities. Grounded on these principles, exercise
is a human right and efforts are needed to ensure that
the rights of disabled people are upheld.
