What is Ableism?

"The practices and dominant attitudes in society that devalue and limit the potential of persons with disabilities. A set of practices and beliefs that assign inferior value (worth) to people who have developmental, emotional, physical or psychiatric disabilities" - stopableism.org

An “ableist” belief system often underlies negative attitudes, stereotypes and stigma toward people with psychosocial disabilities

Statistics

• 54 million Americans have a disability.
• According to the US census bureau people with severe disabilities working full time earn approximately $1,000.00 less per month than non-disabled workers.
• 13.3 million people with disabilities age 16-64 have experienced difficulty finding employment because of their disability.
• In 2010 the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) reported that 25,165 charges of disability discrimination were filed.

Pre-1800's

• People who were "mentally ill" were perceived as evil or to be possessed by an evil spirit
• Handicap was introduced as an individual, usually with a disability, who would beg for money with a cap

1800's

• Science introduces the idea that a person's disability didn't have to do with the spirit rather than genetics
• State mental hospitals were created
• Eugenics movement begins, people with disabilities were segregated or used as entertainment (freak shows, circuses)
• Braille is introduced

1900's

• Hill-Burton Act, authorizing federal grants to the states for he construction of hospitals, public health centers and health facilities for rehabilitation of people with disables
• Independent Living movement
• Urban Mass Transit Act
• Technology advances result in greater freedom, access and independence.
• Deinstitutionalization – “people with disabilities allowed to live and work in the community”

Direct

• Grabbing someone's wheelchair without their permission in order to "help" them navigate a difficult turn or movement.
• Intentionally demeaning an individual based on stereotype of a disability.
• Having an able-bodied individual invade a disabled individual's personal space to physically assist them.
• Degrading someone about personal matters related to their condition with statements like, "Is there any chance your cancer will spread". This can be irritating when someone is trying to focus on their job.
• Provision of sign language interpreters for hiring interviews
• Placement of door handles around the office

Indirect

• Mocking or dismissing someone who is suffering from an invisible disability with phrases like, "He's mental," or "She uses that 'tired' excuse a lot."
• Making helpful suggestions about the latest fad diet, miracle cure or possible treatment that's been seen on the internet -- especially if it is being touted as a "cure-all" that can help just about any condition.
• Suggesting that a co-worker suffering from major depression can "snap out of it"
• Telling a co-worker with chronic fatigue syndrome to just "push through it."

How to Prevent

• Speak up when you see someone doing any of the examples above
• Educate yourself about disability issues
• Don't make assumptions about disability or competence
• Be conscious of the language you use to someone, don't use ableist language
• Implement ideas such as elevators, ramps or side rails, group specific bathrooms, vegan/vegetarian food options, signs and symbols that cater to individuals that may be color blind, dyslexic, or deaf.

Avoid Bias

Thought of word play used is centered more around meaning and power of a word or phrase VS. “what sounds better or is humorous.''

When making a statement, be specific about exactly who you are addressing.

Making a conscious effort will cause jargon to become more straight forward and neutral as understanding becomes better.

Self-Image

Awareness about how to define or describe yourself increases and judgement from others becomes almost completely irrelevant.