What is Ableism, and Why Does it Matter?

What is Ableism, and Why Does it Matter?

This is the seventh installment of our series,?Understanding Disability Pride.

Ableism can be defined as prejudice based on the presence, or mere suspicion, of any kind of disability.?Put in more simple terms, ableism disfavors anything that falls outside of the perceived norms regarding abilities or needs. In its more subtle forms, ableism creates a false equivalency between these supposed norms and quality of life. When allowed to grow into its most extreme forms, ableism has spawned all-out purges.

There is no doubt that variations among our experiences do exist.?The problem lies with how we approach these differences, along with the weight that we place upon them.?It is also important to distinguish between factors that are intrinsic to our bodies as opposed to limitations placed upon us by societal, structural, or technological barriers.

As an individual who is blind, it is undeniable that I navigate the world in a different manner compared to someone with perfect eyesight.?However, it would be incorrect to assume that my lack of eyesight prevents me from traveling, cooking, reading, and a host of other daily activities that are not popularly associated with blindness. I utilize alternative techniques and technology to do all these things and more. I would even argue that the availability and accessibility of these tools has an exponentially greater impact on my daily life than the presents or lack of eyesight.

So, if people with disabilities are already capable of living our lives, why is this such an important topic??Great question! Here are a few reasons:

? Healthcare. Studies have shown that 80% of medical providers hold a negative view of disability. This often results in grossly anequitable care that jeopardizes our health; and even our lives. Despite widely held beliefs to the contrary, diminished quality of life and health are not natural byproducts of having a disability. The obvious exception being when a disability results from a disease process that also negatively impacts health.

? Partners & children. The right for people with disabilities to enter into relationships, get married, and raise children is incredibly fragile. In the majority of states, custody can be challenged (and dissolved) if a parent has a disability; even with no evidence of neglect or abuse. Like so many other couples, my ex-wife and I experienced this with our first child. Even though we had done absolutely nothing wrong, and were arguably model first time parents, there was nothing we could do to convince some cynical hospital staff that we were capable of raising a child. The situation is even worse for those who wish to adopt, which is unconscionable given the number of children wishing for a forever home.

? Housing. An article that we recently shared stated that only 5% of available housing is accessible. This mirrors personal experience, and the problem might actually be getting worse. Up until the 1960s, it was assumed that people with disabilities would and should live in institutions. Although social progress has been made in the last several decades, those efforts have not necessarily resulted in better housing policies.?

Each of the above examples is tinged with bias and unfounded fear. We deserve to live in a home that caters to our needs, we are entitled to appropriate healthcare, and we are certainly capable of making informed decisions regarding our family lives. The problem does not lie within our bodies. It rests squarely on the shoulders of systems and societal norms that continue to marginalized and underestimate us. Ableism blames us for the problems that it has created.

Here are a few ways that you can be a part of the solution:

? Anti-discrimination statements. Although we are the world's largest minority, the word "disability"rarely appears beside "race, gender, and sexual orientation" and anti-discrimination statements. This absolutely needs to change. Please help us raise awareness that able ism is just as insidious as racism, sexism, and anti-LGBTQ+ bias.

? Be curious, not skeptical. It is natural to wonder how alternative techniques, assistive technology, and universal design work.?Learning about these things from a position that assumes success makes all the difference.

? Let us be the experts on our experience. If you do not have a disability, then you do not know what it's like to have a disability. That's not to say that allies don't make valuable contributions, they definitely do. However, it is vital to keep things in context. There is no substitute for first-hand knowledge.?Efforts toward accessibility and inclusion should be disability-led and widely supported.

If you have learned something new, please hit the like button, comment, or share with your network. These simple gestures help us spread the light a little further.

Thank you