According to activation policies directed at social insurance beneficiaries, the Swiss disability insurance (DI) was recently revised in order to reduce the number of pensions granted and to increase the employability of persons suffering from a health problem. Inspired by the critical disability studies approach, this article discusses the consequences of these revisions on the conceptions of disability and rehabilitation. Analyzing the nature and scope of the current changes, it concludes that a new social policies’ paradigm is emerging, which fundamentally impacts on the experience of persons applying for DI benefits.