A "model" is an ideology or system held by a particular group; in this essay the models referenced will focus on those surrounding disability and impairment. The models analyzed are the medical model and the social model of disability and their impact on people with disabilities. The social model theory of disability was a reaction to the rise of the medical model in society. Although social model ideologies were championed in the 1960s, the idea was brought forward by the Union of the Physically Disabled Against Segregation (UPIAS) in 1975. The UPIAS argued that it was society that disabled people, thus creating the "social model". The medical and social models of disability have then been explored in depth by various theorists, scholars and advocates of disability rights. This essay will explore the definition and systems behind these two models of disability, using articles on media representations of disability to help better understand these models and how they work. The medical model of disability is the theory that the problem of disability depends on the individual and that managing the disability with medications or therapy, finding a cure, or managing the disability is the best course of treatment. Olkin (2001, p. 26) states that: “The medical model gained momentum in the mid-1800s with the advent of a more enlightened and humanistic medicine…Disability is seen as a medical problem residing within the individual” . The overall goal of the medical model is to “normalize” the individual as much as medically possible. Jesperson and McNamee (2013, p. 5) state that “where some people cannot be normalized, they are left in a precarious, limbo, state of apparent abnormality.” If the individual cannot... middle of the paper... with a disability to speak from their point of view, and this is the best way to encourage people to follow and push for equality, inclusion and the social model. Like the medical model, the social model is not free from criticism. Shakespeare (2006) argues that although society disables people, so do their bodies. He believes that one cannot simply ignore impairment and blame society for the fact that people are disabled. It has also been argued by (Bury & Gabe, 2003) that the social model oversimplifies a much larger problem. This essay has served to provide a brief understanding of the theories and practices of medical and social models of disabilities and how they influence people with disabilities. This is an important issue to consider as there are still many disabled people in the world and we still need to make progress towards making society inclusive.