When we think of discrimination, words like racism, sexism, ageism, and homophobia likely come to mind. Of course, each one of those themes deserves attention, but one area that often gets overlooked is ableism. You may have encountered this word in your spaces, as awareness is growing, but what, exactly does it mean?
The Federal Government Guide on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Terminology defines ableism as prejudice and discrimination against people with a disability.
The Center for Disability Rights describes ableism as “a set of beliefs or practices that devalue and discriminate against people with physical, intellectual, or psychiatric disabilities and often rests on the assumption that disabled people need to be ‘fixed.’”
In general, ableism exists on the belief that those with a disability do not have the same capacity as nondisabled people. There are many ways that ableism can show up in our world, from the language we use to the lack of accessibility in certain public spaces. This blog post highlights ableist things to be aware of and some of the harm that ableism can cause. In a follow-up post, we’ll offer suggestions on combating ableism.
Ableism in Our World
People with disabilities often face challenges navigating our world. Many physical spaces are inaccessible. Those who live with intellectual disabilities can find everyday systems overwhelming. People living with a mental health condition or disability know full well the stigma that still exists surrounding mental health.
Additionally, people living with disabilities often face bias or discrimination, as ableism is prevalent in today’s society.
When we think of ableism, most of us likely consider ourselves kind, empathetic people who do not blame people with disabilities for negative things in the world. But just as racism encompasses more than using racial slurs and joining certain social groups, ableism is more than overtly stating you do not support people with disabilities.
Ableism can look like:
- A multi-level restaurant without an elevator
- Twinkle lights decorating a handrail, thereby making it inaccessible for visually impaired people or anyone who requires a handrail for mobility purposes
- Not having designated spaces for wheelchairs on public transportation or theatres
- Policy documents/restaurant menus/written documentation that is not also available in braille or accessible via adaptive technology
- Not having a sign language interpreter at a political debate
- Using fonts/colours on a website that are difficult to see for anyone who is colour blind
- Enforcing a no-exceptions policy regarding tech use (some people require adaptive technology to communicate)
- Wearing scented products in public spaces
- Grocery stores with loud music and bright lights and no quiet times
- Immunocompromised people feeling excluded from indoor public gatherings due to lack of Covid-19 precautions
- Feeling awkward around, or ignoring completely, a person with a disability in a group setting
- Lack of representation of disabled people on committees
- Speaking to someone with a disability as if they are a child
- Minimizing/ignoring the potential contributions/skills of someone with a disability
It’s important to remember, too, that some disabilities are invisible, so it’s not always obvious when someone has a disability. Additionally, some disabilities are episodic, meaning that symptoms can range and vary. A person may require a wheelchair one day to get around and not need one the next.
As we strive for inclusive spaces, it’s important to be aware of how ableism shows up so we can take efforts to reduce/eliminate it.
Words Matter
One of the most difficult areas to rid of ableism is in our words. Our language is loaded with ableist terms. Here are a few to be mindful of, along with some suggested alternatives:
| Ableist Term | Suggested Replacement |
|---|---|
| Blind spot | Unaware, oblivious |
| Lame | Dull, boring |
| Crazy/insane/nuts/bananas | Ridiculous, unbelievable, eccentric |
| Wheelchair bound / confined to a wheelchair | Uses a wheelchair, wheelchair user |
| Psycho | Unpredictable, unsettling |
| Crippling, paralyzed | Frozen, debilitating, shocking |
| "I'm so OCD" when not referring to a medical condition | Particular, fussy |
| Cripple | Person with a disability, someone with mobility challenges, or name the specific condition (e.g., a person with cerebral palsy). |
| Mute | Nonverbal |
| Hysterical | Emotional |
You might be wondering why a “small thing” like a word matters. Words have power, and words also set and control a tone, attitude, and belief. By using inclusive language, you’re showing that you respect people who live with disabilities. It sends a message, both to those who have a disability and to others who might then learn from you. It’s a minor thing to tweak a word/phrase you use, but the impact can be huge for someone who faces ableist terms on a daily basis.
If you use some of these words, first: take a breath. It does not mean you are a terrible person. Words change all the time, and it takes work to build new habits around them. You likely weren’t even aware that something was offensive.
But now that you know, you can work to change your words.
It might be challenging to change every area that you’ve spent years assuming was natural speech, so pick one word or theme and instill a new habit. For example, if you notice you tend to use words that can poke fun of mental health, work to substitute a non-ableist term (“ridiculous” is a great one that works for many things). When that becomes natural and you find you are no longer stumbling over those terms, you can move on to a new word/theme.
You can review more ableism terms and inclusive guidelines here.
The Harmful Effects of Ableism
Throughout history, people with disabilities have faced discrimination, including institutionalization, forced sterilization, and segregation in schools. This kind of treatment was based on the idea that those living with disabilities didn’t deserve to be a part of society. While we have come a long way towards inclusion, this history continues to influence attitudes today, and the truth is, ableism causes harm.
While a nondisabled person may not consider some of the examples mentioned in this blog post to be “all that bad,” the fact that ableism is so dominant in our world means that people with disabilities encounter it frequently, and their lives can be negatively affected.
So, while some examples of ableism may seem minor, they can have a cumulative effect and reinforce the harmful message that people with disabilities are lesser than those without disabilities. That message can lead to:
- discrimination
- exclusion
- being looked over for job opportunities/promotions
- violence
- ridicule
- neglect
- disrespect
- lack of empathy/supports
As we strive for a more inclusive world, it’s important that we understand and accept the impact our actions can have on others. People living with disabilities are valued members of society and deserve to be treated with respect.
In a future blog post, we’ll expand on ways to reduce/eliminate ableism. In the meantime, we encourage you to reflect on ways that you can combat ableism in your own words and actions.