Ableism - Starting An Important Conversation

Ableism is pervasive in society today. In most cases, it’s stems from a lack of information and understanding of people with disabilities. Ableism is also built into the infrastructure of our communities, organizations and at the governmental level. It is systemic. Ablism is built on a foundational belief that being disabled makes a person less – they are not complete or “normal”. Typically ableist thinking and comments aren’t from a place of malice and often people don’t understand the impact their words have.

Ableism is defined as “discrimination in favor of able-bodied people”. I think that “the discrimination of and social prejudice against people with disabilities based on the belief that typical abilities are superior” is a more detailed and accurate definition. Credit to Accessliving.org for that definition.

For those that don’t have a disability or aren’t close to anyone that does, it can be hard to understand how the world is for a person with a disability. Navigating a world that wasn’t built for disability presents physical and emotional challenges for those with disabilities.

If we want to try to show up as the best version of ourselves, as the kindest and most inclusive version of ourselves, then learning what ableism is and how it makes people feel, is important. Considering how our words land is important.

Some examples of ableism in action:

• Saying “you don’t look disabled,” as though this is a compliment
• Avoiding speaking to a person with a disability due to discomfort, fear of saying the wrong thing or thinking they won’t understand you
• Spreading or believing stereotypes
• Questioning whether a person’s disability is real
• Creating a hierarchy for the severity of the disability – for example cognitive disabilities are worse than physical disabilities
• Asking someone what is “wrong” with someone
• Thinking that people with disabilities get bonuses or perks (parking spaces for example)

The only way we are going to break down?ableist beliefs?in society, is to have conversations, educate ourselves and others and to speak up with you hear ableist comments.

Romeesa from our Trexo team and Tiffany Goodchild from the?Kourageous Karter Foundation?had a conversation about ableism – you can watch the video here.

Tiffany mentioned after the fact that she should have talked about the importance of talking to adults with disabilities and that is something she is working on herself.

Learning from the people that have experienced ableist attitudes and understanding their reality is a great way to shift your perspectives and eliminate any ableist thoughts and communications.

How do we counter ableism? What are the solutions?

?? Listen to people with disabilities to hear and understand their experiences

?? Learn about ableism

?? Speak up to stop ableism and correct myths

?? Advocate for accessibility and inclusivity

?? Support organizations that help or advocate for people with disability

?? Be aware of accessibility challenges

?? Hire people with disabilities

?? Ask how you can help

?? Don’t assume they want to be able-bodied – checking this assumption will help a lot in how you communicate with people with disabilities

?It will take some introspection and self-awareness to eliminate ableism at the individual level. The systemic ableism will be tackled through education and advocacy.

Check out the video and join us on?social media?to share your comments, questions and thoughts on the topic. Having these conversations publicly is important.