Disability Models Affect Disability Policy Support through Awareness of Structural Discrimination

In three studies (N = 340) we examined the effects of medical versus social model representations of physical disability on awareness of structural discrimination and prodisability policy support among nondisabled persons. In all three studies, we found either an indirect (Studies 1 and 2) or full mediational effect of awareness of structural discrimination on the relationship between social model representations and policy support. Study 1 provided correlational evidence using individual social model endorsement as the predictor variable, while in Studies 2 and 3 experimentally manipulated model of disability. Finally, Study 3 provided evidence that medical model representations reduce prodisability policy support by encouraging the legitimization of the status quo.