What is Ableism?

Ableism is any form of discrimination or negative bias towards disabled people or disability in general. Someone who practices ableism is called ablest.

What are some examples of ableism?

• Assuming someone is faking their disability because they "look healthy"
• Talking down to a disabled coworker
• Accusing someone of just wanting attention when speaking out about disability
• Denying access to a person based on their medical equipment/ disability
• Saying to someone that their disability "isn't that bad" or comparing a temporary illness to a chronic illness
• Avoiding an interaction with someone because their disability makes you uncomfortable
• Thinking that those who are on disability are leeches
• Segregating someone with a disability
• Failing to respect reasonable accommodations
• Failing to have an accessible design plan

What are micro-aggressions?

Micro-aggressions are small comments someone may make that insults members of the disabled community. Examples of this may include:

• "That’s so lame.”
• “You are so retarded.”
• “That guy is crazy.”
• “You’re acting so bi-polar today.”
• “Are you off your meds?”
• “My ideas fell on deaf ears.”
• “She’s such a psycho.”
• “I’m super OCD about how I clean my apartment.”
• “Can I pray for you?”
• “I don’t even think of you as disabled.”

* examples provided by Ableism 101 - What is Ableism? What Does it Look Like? (accessliving.org)

What can I do to prevent ableism?

Great ways to prevent ableism include:

• Believing people when they say they have a disability.
• If the disabled individual wants to explain their disability, simply listen and ask APPROPRIATE questions.
• Do not reveal someone's disability. It is not your place.
• Incorporate inclusivity into events or location planning.
• Do not touch someone else's medical equipment without permission.
• Have conversations with children about disability and how to be respectful of it.
• Ask what someone needs, do not assume.