Ableism
Ableism is the discrimination or prejudice against disabled people. It refers to the ways in which society, institutions, and individuals discriminate against and exclude disabled people and fail to accommodate their needs. Ableism can take many forms, including physical barriers, negative attitudes and stereotypes, and discrimination in education, employment, and other areas of life. Ableism is often reinforced and perpetuated by societal norms and expectations that prioritize able-bodiedness and stigmatize disability. It can have significant negative impacts on the quality of life and well-being of disabled people, and it is an important issue to address in the fight for social justice.
Take Action
Here’s how to dismantle ableism in your community.
Get Educated
Learn more about disability and the challenges that disabled people face. This can involve reading books, articles, and other resources on the topic, attending workshops or seminars, or engaging in discussions with others who are interested in disability justice. By increasing your own understanding of disability, you can help to raise awareness and challenge ableist attitudes and beliefs in your own life and among those around you.
Advocate
Advocate for changes in policies and practices that discriminate against or disadvantage disabled people. This can involve writing letters, making phone calls, or participating in protests or other grassroots actions to bring attention to issues affecting disabled people. It can also involve working with organizations or advocacy groups that are dedicated to advancing the rights of disabled people.
Be A Better Ally
Advocate for disabled people. This can involve simply listening and learning from disabled people, and using your privilege and influence to speak out against ableist attitudes and practices. It can also involve actively supporting the work of disability rights organizations and being an advocate for disability justice in your own community.
Learn More
The outcome of the Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools case will affect the redress disabled students have in resolving disability rights violations from schools.
The AADI is creating a space for disabled Asian Americans to share their stories and be seen and heard in an ableist and anti-Asian society.
Disability justice is critical as disabled folks continue to be excluded by capitalist and social barriers like inaccessible design, architecture, and organization.
Alopecia and hair loss stigma shames people with the condition into isolation due to the significance of hair in our society.
Due to ableist and racist standards, the mere existence of Black disabled people increases their incidence of violent treatment and death.
Following the backlash from CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky’s recent comments, disability advocates say her remarks weren’t an “error” or “bad editing,” but the result of how ableist thinking devalues the lives of the chronically ill and disabled people.
Related Words and Phrases
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