Ableism and Disability: A walking cloud of beliefs and opinions to be combatted and eliminated

— Ryan Hill

Introduction:

For all of us in the disability community, we have all be faced in different ways by the belief system of ableism. It is a system and practice that has spanned history and understanding of other people. This practice and custom have always come at the expense of the disability community. Almost any of us have expressed ableist beliefs and opinions towards each other. That has been true for us both within and outside the disability community. For those of us who have disabilities or naturally differing abilities, that has come in the form of expressions, statements, and ideas about how we best operate, if we can truly be independent in society, if we can perform certain life functions without trouble, and if we can master certain societal norms and customs that anyone else could learn intuitively and subtly. Ableism is a form of discrimination and prejudice that has been built from years of beliefs, opinions, and attitudes about the disability community functions and operates. It stems from ideas about who we are without knowing the whole story. This comes from ideas and conclusions that people make based from fear and misunderstanding about us.

Ableism and Language:

Ableism in all its forms is synonymous with the words, phrases, oral opinions expressed by those who use it against the disability community. It can show up in either single words meant to degrade or intimidate those with disabilities or in phrases that express beliefs about what is perceived to be true for us in the ever-growing universe. When you step out into the world, you can find ableism either being expressed by other people or in written words in public places or facilities. It pervades every corner and pillar of society. Where you find ableism, you will find the motivation and intention behind why it is being used. At the same time, you will always find it be used unintentionally and subconsciously. Ableist words and language are often used without anyone knowing it. When that happens, the meaning can be just as hurtful or demeaning. Words and thoughts always matter in any life situation. As the University of Maryland has put together below “Person-first language distances the person from the disability, ostensibly to separate the person from the negative connotations and stigma with which we have all been socialized. As professionals, many of us have been taught that person-first language is preferable, and some disabled individuals choose to identify as a person first, based on their personal orientation to disability. Example: I am a woman with a disability. I am separate from the stereotypes and stigma you associate with disability.”

Identity-first language

Challenges negative connotations by claiming disability directly. Identity-first language references the variety that exists in how our bodies and brains work with a myriad of conditions that exist, and the role of inaccessible or oppressive systems, structures, or environments in making someone disabled. Example: I am disabled, queer, and Latinx. I have an impairment, and I am disabled by societal barriers. These language choices underscore the differences between impairment and disability. “Impairment” is the term used by disability studies scholars to refer to a physiological difference in one’s body or brain. Disability is a lived experience with far-reaching political, social, and economic implications. When referencing disability, naming it explicitly is important. Embrace the word “disability” and avoid the use of outmoded euphemisms such as “special needs,” “physically or mentally challenged,” differently- or alternatively-abled, etc.

Know that you will make mistakes. When you do, own it, apologize, and try again.

To effectively combat ableism, work on creating and implementing more inclusive and accepting language. That includes using both people-first and identity-first language. Both types of language are heavily used by the disability community and widely accepted as forms of spoken word that allow us to enter society as our full authentic selves. Just as importantly, such language makes more comfortable and brings out the best in us in our forms of autonomy.

Ableism and Discrimination:

Ableism and Discrimination go hand in hand with each other. They exist in all pillars and facades of society. Both of those phenomenon even exist in our daily life actions and decisions. Discrimination towards the disability community has always meant the exclusion of us from living independent and meaningful lives just like anyone else in society. Ableism perpetuates the beliefs and language surrounding discrimination towards the disability community. Both have been around to keep the disability population in its place while upholding systems that exclude us from some or all parts of society. This has left many of us to live our lives in worlds where are either dependent or interdependent on others for support. As Vispero has boldly pointed out “Two common forms of ableist language are using words or phrases describing impairments and disabilities as an insult and using words or phrases that undermine the status of people with disabilities.

Insulting:

• “That joke was so lame!” uses physical impairment to imply weakness.
• “What are you, blind?” implies that people who are blind are inherently oblivious.
• “That’s just crazy talk” uses psychiatric impairment to imply a lack of logic or coherence.

Undermining:

• “Wheelchair-bound” implies a person is restricted and not free. In reality, wheelchairs are liberating.
• “The blind” bundles all blind people into one group as if they were all the same.
• “Suffers from cerebral palsy” portrays a person as a victim, in pain, and in need of saving.

Those types of phrases and words are always meant to degrade and offend those in the disability community based on their needs and livelihoods. They are based off beliefs or opinions about what is thought to be true about our community. At the same time these beliefs are built from preexisting notions about what is known to be true about the disability community and all its forms. If you find that you have such beliefs about people with disabilities, challenge yourself on them and if they are really true or not. Think about how us in our community would feel if you ever used such language toward us. We are all human and we are worthy of living successful lives free from fear and misunderstanding.

Ableism and Institutions:

Ableism like in language is just as prevalent in the institutions that we have built up over centuries of human history. It shows up in the language on signs in public facilities and institutions, how entrance ways are constructed, how companies and public services handle disability-related laws and regulations, how online resources are put together, how we honor people with disabilities requests for accommodations or adjustments, and how we handle emergency situations involving people with disabilities. Institutional ableism is taken directly from the words and beliefs that always appear through the eyes of people from outside the disability community. As Access Living clearly lists below: “Ableism can take many forms including:

• Lack of compliance with disability rights laws like the ADA
• Segregating students with disabilities into separate schools
• The use of restraint or seclusion as a means of controlling students with disabilities
• Segregating adults and children with disabilities in institutions
• Failing to incorporate accessibility into building design plans
• Buildings without braille on signs, elevator buttons, etc.
• Building inaccessible websites
• The assumption that people with disabilities want or need to be ‘fixed’
• Using disability as a punchline, or mocking people with disabilities
• Refusing to provide reasonable accommodations
• The eugenics movement of the early 1900s
• The mass murder of disabled people in Nazi Germany”

Ableism has always been a façade in our society. The ways in, which it appears have always come at the expense of the disability community. Even today, it is still common in all parts of our world and the parts that are most essential to our livelihood and future. To truly combat it, requires not only changing your use of words, but to change how it is used in public services, facilities, and in laws and regulations that have historically used such language through common understanding.

Ableism and the workplace:

For those of us in the disability community, and who work, many of you would know that ableism is always very prevalent in it. It always shows up every day at work, and come up through spoken words from other people or from major changes in workplace policy or regulations. Ableism affects anyone’s workplace performance, well-being, and attitude about wanting to work in a place that is geared towards their career of choice. At the same time, ableism shows up through the actions and words of employers to employees who have disabilities or naturally differing abilities. This always comes in form of power being exercised from one person over another. As factorialhr has put together below: “Examples of Ableism in the Workplace

So, what’s an ableist, and how can you spot one?

Here are a few examples of ableism in the workplace:

• Anything constituted as a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This includes inaccessible building designs or failing to provide reasonable accommodations (wheelchair ramps, handrails, etc.). It also includes demoting, terminating, or harassing employees as a direct result of their disability. These are more overt forms of ableist discrimination.
• Failure to recognize the entire spectrum of disabilities. Just because you can’t see someone’s disability, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist. For example, alcohol addiction is considered a protected disability under the ADA, as are other mental health conditions.
• Using inflammatory or ignorant language, such as “an autistic” and “special needs”. More on ableist language in the next section.

However, not every example of ableism is obvious. The following more subtle examples would also be classed as ableism in the workplace:

• Pretending a disability doesn’t exist because it makes you uncomfortable. It’s important to acknowledge that people with disabilities often face unique challenges and may need extra support.
• Comparing an individual’s disability with your own temporary injury or illness. For example, using crutches for a broken ankle for a few weeks does not compare with living every day of your life in a wheelchair. Likewise, having a burst eardrum is not the same as experiencing deaf oppression in the workplace on a daily basis.
• As an employer, failing to create a safe space where your employees with disabilities feel comfortable talking about any struggles they might encounter. This will stop them from asking for help when needed and may even prevent them from doing their job well.”

When you really think about it, ableism can make anyone with a disability feel unsafe when in the workplace. We all desire to work in places that will make us feel safe and valued. When we all can feel safe and care for, everyone will both benefit and succeed.

Ableism and education:

Ableism can also be just as common in the education system. It always shows up in the classroom, through the views and attitudes of teachers and school administrators, through the decisions and policy implementations of school board members, and through the laws passed by county, state, and the Federal Government. The belief system is shaped by how people have tried to approach those in the disability community who are accessing K-12 School. Such beliefs and attitudes have not always led to people with disabilities or naturally differing abilities gaining full access to the education system meant to prepare for life in the real world. We all deserve a free and fair election as defined by law. It is a way towards helping us create the life we want. That includes all of us with disabilities or naturally differing abilities. We are not bound by what we cannot do to learn certain skills, abilities, or information. Those of us with disabilities or naturally differing abilities learn best through knowing ourselves and how we best interpret or reach critical and life-essential information.

Ableism and personal experience:

Ableism has been a common thread in my life. It has especially been common for me in all pillars of society as someone who is autistic and Neurodivergent. Ableism has shown up through the same exact beliefs and attitudes meant to keep people in the autistic and neurodivergent communities in their place. I have seen people in my own family, in school, and in the workplace use ableist language and beliefs towards themselves or towards other people who identify in the disability world. Those beliefs and preconceived notions have been built off of limited understanding and knowledge about the world of disabilities or naturally differing abilities. Such attitudes and opinions have shaped my experiences in school, in public places, in conversations with my Parents and other family members, with some of my friends, and in making major life decisions regarding education employment, and housing. Almost all of those times, I have felt the hurt of Ableism. It is a thorn meant to penetrate anyone’s mind and make you know how other people feel, even if you do not understand what they are telling you. It is the experience I have had facing Ableism that has shaped my beliefs about knowing that it needs to be addressed and combatted. That knowing that it needs to be addressed also comes with a drive for bringing an end to it. It is just as widely practiced as other isms in this world. Ableism even intersects with other isms meant to degrade and demean other minority groups of people including racism, ageism, sexism, homophobia, and xenophobia.

Note of Gratitude and thanks:

Thank you to all for taking the time to read this blog. Your time spent on it will only help you understand Ableism and all its forms. At the same time, it could only compel you to face it yourself and help spread the word about ending it once and for all. Ableism has historically been a form of discrimination towards the disability community and the people who make up it. The time is now to not only address it, but to replace it with more inclusive and welcoming language that would make anyone feel valued and accepted in a vastly changing world.

Ryan Hill

The Arc of Northern Virginia

List of resources:

• https://www.umass.edu/diversity/disability-justice-education-toolkit-ableism-and-structural-oppression
• https://vispero.com/resources/understanding-disability-ableism/
• https://www.accessliving.org/newsroom/blog/ableism-101/
• https://factorialhr.com/blog/ableism-in-the-workplace/