Here's what the charity tragedy model really means

From
http://www.copower.org/leader/models.htm#tragedy

There's some good stuff on that page on other models of disability.

"
Tragedy/Charity Model of Disability

The Tragedy/Charity Model depicts disabled people as victims of
circumstance, deserving of pity. This and Medical Model are probably the
ones most used by non-disabled people to define and explain disability.

Traditionally used by charities in the competitive business of
fund-raising, the application of the Tragedy/Charity Model is
graphically illustrated in the televised Children in Need appeals in
which disabled children are depicted alongside young "victims" of
famine, poverty, child abuse and other circumstances. Whilst such
appeals raise considerable funds for services and equipment which are
not provided by the state, many disabled people find the negative
victim-image thoroughly offensive. In fact Children in Need has been
described as "televisual garbage … oppressive to disabled people" M.
Oliver quoted in C. Donnellan "Disabilities and Discrimination Issues
for the Nineties" 1982. Some go as far as interpreting the tragic
portrayal as a means of maintaining a flow of donations and keeping
able-bodied people in work.

The Tragedy/Charity Model is condemned by its critics as dis-enabling,
and the cause of much discrimination. Speaking on the BBC Everyman
program The Fifth Gospel (date?), Nabil Shaban said: "The biggest
problem that we, the disabled have, is that you, the non-disabled, are
only comfortable when you see us as icons of pity." Because disabled
people are seen as tragic victims, it follows that they need care, are
not capable of looking after themselves or managing their own affairs,
and need charity in order to survive.

From tragedy and pity stems a culture "care". Although highly
praiseworthy in many respects, it carries certain dangers. Numerous
charities exist to support and care for people with a particular type of
disability, thereby medically classifying, segregating and often – as
with the Medical Model – institutionalizing many disabled people. Over
400,000 adults in Great Britain are affected by institutionalization
Given the choice, many, if not most would opt for community life with
adequate support.

The idea of if being recipients of charity lowers the self-esteem of
people with disabilities. In the eyes of "pitying" donors, charitable
giving carries with it an expectation of gratitude and a set of terms
imposed upon the beneficiary. The first is patronizing; the second
limiting upon the choices open to disabled people. Also, employers will
view disabled people as charitable cases. Rather than address the real
issues of creating a workplace conducive to the employment of people
with disabilities, employers may conclude that making charitable
donations meets social and economic obligations.

This is not to advocate dismantling charities and outlaw caring,
charitable acts, which enrich our society and bring badly needed funds.
But we do need to educate charity managers and professionals to review
the way they operate and ensure that funds are channeled to promote the
empowerment of disabled people and their full integration into our
society as equal citizens – requiring our respect and not our pity.
"

I think I agree with this.