What is ableism?
We know from previous articles that ageism and racism are terms used to describe discrimination and prejudice based on age and race, therefore ableism is a word that is used to describe discrimination and prejudice in relation to disability.
And, as with all the “ists” and isms” we are looking at, it can be complex and nuanced, depending on how we (as individuals) normalise and prioritise our own perspectives and experiences as being the accepted or only way of being.
For example, if we are a non-disabled person, when we think of disabilities it can be all too easy to think exclusively about people who use a wheelchair or experience physical mobility challenges. But how often do we think about all the ways in which people are disabled by society, including deaf or blind people, or people experiencing mental health challenges. And I say “disabled by society” deliberately here, because there is nothing “wrong” with or “abnormal” about any person. They are simply disadvantaged by the systems and attitudes of others who have not created environments with them or their wellbeing in mind.
And, some alarming research undertaken by Scope this year (2022), shows that public attitudes towards disabled people in the UK are generally negative, with respondents stating they had experienced people staring at them, making assumptions or judging their capability, and even accusing them of faking their disability!
And, if we consider that around 14.6 million people in the UK have a disability (about 22% of the population), that is a lot of people who might be actively excluded or discriminated against.
How do you know if you’re being ableist?
To begin with, pretty much everyone who is not disabled will, at some point, take part in something that is ableist. And sadly, when this happens it’s likely that we won’t even know we have done it. We may not like the idea that we are ableist, but we all must reconcile that we will likely have spent a large proportion of our lives benefitting from ableist systems and structures. Think about it, the more freely we can navigate our day lives with little or no disruption, or prior planning for how we might need to adapt if our chosen route/transport/ method/support system is unavailable, the more likely we are to benefit from ableism.
There are, of course, the obvious discriminations that exist for disabled people, such as events held in inaccessible spaces, being passed over for job opportunities or promotions because of their disability or being asked rude or invasive personal questions. The trouble is, as we’ve already started to notice, for many non-disabled people even realising these things are discriminatory can be a challenge.
So, what about when we start to look at the less obvious ways in which ableism presents?
PAUSE FOR THOUGHT…
Tomorrow, why not go about your usual daily tasks but pay particular attention to how you might do so if you needed step-free access? Or if you were unable to hear?
What would be different for you?
How would it impact you?
What would that feel like to you?
Language matters
All too often disabilities are used in common language as metaphors to convey certain points. For example, ideas that “fall on deaf ears”, calling people “crazy”, or stating we’re so tidy we’re “a bit OCD”. This kind of language is heard all the time in conversation, that many of us wouldn’t think twice.
Think about the example of music star Lizzo, and her use of an ableist slur in her recent single “Grrrls”. Understandably there was public outcry to the derogatory term for spastic diplegia. But where Lizzo got this one right is that she immediately recognised what she had done wrong, and she apologised for it. She re-recorded her song and removed the offensive lyric. Because no-one if perfect. But it’s our ability to learn and do better with a new frame of reference that counts.
What do we notice if we start to apply a new frame of reference now?
What if we start to question why we feel it’s ok to link negative language, situations and metaphors to aspects of disability?
What will we do differently?
And while we’re on the topic of frames of reference, remember… Not all people with disabilities we’re born with them. So, unlike other forms of discrimination, ableism is one that can become a part of anyone’s life, at any time.
How might you feel if your circumstances changed tomorrow?
Just as we know micro-aggressions are a part of racism, the same is true for ableism. Normalising derogatory language connected with disabilities is harmful and can have a lasting impact on those affected, regardless of the intentions of the speaker. Like it or not, when we use our words in this way we’re reinforcing that it’s acceptable to class people with disabilities as “other” and treat them as “less than”. So, let’s bring some conscious awareness to the words we choose, and see if we can’t break the cycle.
Again, Scope have written a great article on the awkwardness of talking about disabilities, as well as give you some alternative language you might want to consider.
How to be more inclusive
Good news! You've already taken the first step to being less ableist just by reading this far and learning about it! We can’t change anything until we know what we're doing wrong and bringing awareness to our own words and behaviours is key.
Now we know what ableism is, here are some things you can do avoid behaving in an ableist way:
Examine your language and stop using ableist terms in your conversations.
Don’t assume disabled people are less valuable than anyone else.
Speak to people with disabilities in exactly the same way that you would anyone else.
Don’t assume a disabled person is in need of your help. If you think someone requires assistance, ask them if there’s anything they would like you to do before you intervene.
Don’t use accessible bathrooms and parking spaces if you don’t need them, leave them vacant for those that do.
Don’t question others who do use accessible facilities. They know what they need, and it’s not to explain themselves.
If you go to a place that is not accessible for people with disabilities, raise it with staff at the location.
If you’re booking facilities for groups, ensure that you understand the accessibility needs of those attending. If you don’t know, find out what restrictions there might be at the venue and make sure your attendees know this in advance.
If you’re making videos or images for training or educational content, include subtitles or alternative image descriptions for those who aren’t able to engage with the sound or visuals.
Consider using a sign language interpreter for events to make them accessible to deaf people.
Some disabilities may impact a person’s speech. Don’t rush people or finish their sentences, they know what they want to say. Be respectful and let them say it.