Ableism

Ableism is all around us, all the time. It is one of the least discussed but most normalized forms of discrimination, which is interesting because disabled is something anyone can become and something most people will become if they live a long life. As stated by Ashley Eisenmenger, "Ableism is the discrimination of and social prejudice against people with disabilities based on the belief that typical abilities are superior. At its heart, ableism is rooted in the assumption that disabled people require ‘fixing’ and defines people by their disability. Like racism and sexism, ableism classifies entire groups of people as ‘less than,’ and includes harmful stereotypes, misconceptions, and generalizations of people with disabilities."

Like all forms of oppression, ableism works together and depends on other forms of oppression, such as racism, queerphobia, capitalism & classism, and sexism & misogyny. Click each system for examples of how it interacts with ableism.

• Some issues at present

  • The forcible sterilization of disabled people is legal in 31 states and D.C.

  • The abandonment of disabled people in emergencies or in economic/political crises and the commodification of their medical needs as the status quo

  • Lack of compliance with disability rights laws like the ADA

  • Segregating students with disabilities into separate schools

  • The use of restraint or seclusion as a means of controlling disabled people

• Websites & FAQs

  • Correct terms for disabilities/language guide has Spanish version also

  • FAQs