Social theories are usually developed to enable a clearer understanding of a situation or
problem. The 'Social Model'in various forms is currently the dominant model for researching
disability, addressing disability from within a socio‐political framework that draws
substantially on a 'social constructionist'perspective. This article critiques some of the core
sociological assumptions of the Social Model, questioning what 'work'this kind of theory
does in informing a set of practical concerns around the design of assistive technologies …

Social theories are usually developed to enable a clearer understanding of a situation or
problem. TheSocial Model'in various forms is currently the dominant model for researching
disability, addressing disability from within a socio-political framework that draws
substantially on asocial constructionist'perspective. This article critiques some of the core
sociological assumptions of the Social Model, questioning whatwork'this kind of theory does
in informing a set of practical concerns around the design of assistive technologies …