Case Study

Helen is a 40-year-old woman who regularly used her local community centre before she became a wheelchair user. She took part in lots of activities including dance classes, pottery, drawing and painting, etc. The community centre is in an old church hall building that has 2 floors and there is no lift.Helen is keen to continue with her activities. The local organiser says there is no way they can let Helen in the classes as they are held upstairs. There is a downstairs room but they never use this, as it is for the visiting clinics and used by the domiciliary care team, or for play groups. Helen becomes very depressed and is now reluctant to move outside of her recently modified downstairs flat.

1. Does this case study demonstrate a social or medical model of disability?
2. What legislation is the organiser not adhering to?
3. If you were the local organiser, is there any action you would consider taking?
4. Which law is the community centre breaking?

It is rare that there is just one way to respond to a scenario or situation, so do not consider that the responses you have to the above scenario will be judged as right or wrong. Share your scenario with a work colleague or friend and ask them to tell you whether they think you have responded appropriately. Ask them to challenge your response if necessary. You do not need to submit this task for assessment unless asked to do so by your assessor.