What is ableism?

by Kalliope Bessler

 

Ableism is the term for discrimination against disabled people, whether they have a mental illness, intellectual disability, or physical disability. Like all other forms of discrimination, ableism is integrated into the fabric of society. 

Ableism has shown up in some of the following ways in the United States: 

  • Ableist language is prominent in everyday life (see this blog post by blogger Lydia X.Z. Brown for a detailed list of ableist language.)

  • Forced institutionalization of disabled people, especially those with an intellectual disability or mental illness.

  • Erasure of disability rights history in education.

  • Lack of accessibility in public buildings – no ramps, no elevators, lack of accommodations for people who are blind, deaf, or hard of hearing.

  • Limited interaction between children in special education classes and students that are not.

  • Rejecting disabled people for jobs based on their disability

  • Underpaying disabled people for their work (it is currently legal in the United States to pay disabled people less than minimum wage.)

  • Lack of authentic access to universal healthcare.

  • Disregarding the feelings and opinions of those with an intellectual disability or mental illness because of their disability. 

Navigating life with a disability can be challenging, and ableism only exacerbates those challenges. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 61 million adults in the United States have a disability. That's 61 million people trying to survive in a world that does not account for them and their needs.

How can abled people fight ableism?

On an individual basis: listening for ableist language and correcting people who use it, educating yourself on the experiences of disabled people, supporting disabled coworkers and classmates if/when they experience ableism, and considering the accessibility of events, seminars, parties, etc. are all ways that individuals can create change. 

On a larger scale, organizing demonstrations with local disability rights activists, signing petitions for legislative protections for disabled people, and advocating for and supporting people with disabilities in all situations. 

 

Sources:

Brown, Lydia X.Z. “Ableism/Language.” Autistic Hoya , 10 June 2020, www.autistichoya.com/p/ableist-words-and-terms-to-avoid.html.

CDC. Disability Impacts All of Us Infographic. 9 Sept. 2019, www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/infographic-disability-impacts-all.html.

Disability Resource Center. “Ableism 101 Part One: What Is Ableism? What Is Disability?” Ableism 101 Part One: What Is Ableism? What Is Disability? | Disability Resources, The University of Arizona , 2020, drc.arizona.edu/cultural-center/ableism-101-part-one-what-ableism-what-disability.

Rajiv Kapur