Most accessibility training gets it wrong.
They teach staff to 'help disabled people'. To be kind. To make allowances. To accommodate.
But that framing is the problem.
The Medical Model vs The Social Model
The medical model says: the person has a problem. Their body or mind doesn't work 'properly', so they need help.
The social model says: the environment has a problem. Barriers exist that disable people—and those barriers can be removed.
This isn't just semantics. It fundamentally changes how you approach accessibility.
A Wheelchair User Walks Into a Theatre
Under the medical model: 'This person can't walk, so they need our help getting to their seat.'
Under the social model: 'Our venue has steps. Steps are a barrier. How do we remove this barrier?'
See the difference?
In the first framing, the person is the problem. In the second, the steps are the problem. The wheelchair isn't a limitation—it's a mobility tool that gives someone independence. The steps are what's limiting.
Why This Matters for Your Venue
When you train staff with a medical model mindset, you get:
When you train staff with a social model mindset, you get:
The WelcoMe Approach
This is why WelcoMe exists. When a customer shares their access requirements before visiting, they're not 'warning' you about their disability. They're identifying barriers so you can remove them in advance.
No scrambling at the door. No awkward conversations. No well-meaning but unhelpful 'assistance'. Just a venue that's ready, and a customer who gets the same service as everyone else.
That's not charity. That's good business.
Ready to train your team with the social model approach? Book a demo to see how WelcoMe works.