Ableism and Accessibility

ableism 

attitudes, actions, and systems that devalue people because they are disabled or perceived as disabled 

can be systemic, interpersonal, and internalized 

systemic ableism 

ableism through policies, laws, infrastructure barriers 

interpersonal ableism

ableism through jokes, assumptions, and microaggressions

microaggressions

subtle, everyday verbal or nonverbal actions that communicate hostile or negative messages to members of marginalized groups, often unintentionally

internalized ableism

ableism through disabled people absorbing these messages/talking to themselves based on what society has told you (can be positive, negative, or neutral)

visible ableism

can include slurs, explicit exclusions (like signs, jokes, and in environment)

invisible ableism

can include comments like “wow, it’s amazing you get around in that chair!”

like a microaggression

ableism cycle

ableism reinforces itself 

assumptions: disabled people have “less valuable” lives which leads to inaccessible spaces (75% of subway stations lack elevators) 

so inaccessibility limits participation → reinforces assumptions 

fair labor standards act

disabled workers can be paid below minimum wage

sheltered workshops

segregated, underpaid environments

sheltered workshops 

segregated, underpaid environments 

systemic ableism - media representation

comedy using the R-word defended as “free speech”

media sympathy for caregivers who kill disabled people (“burden” framing)

consequence: reinforces belief disabled lives = less valuable

internalized ableism

disabled people sometimes feel like burdens → reinforced stereotypes

leads to shame about asking for help, dating, career goals, etc

makes it a lot harder to speak up and advocate for yourself and makes you feel like you don’t deserve certain things in society

how might internalized ableism affect self-advocacy?

expanding the definition of access

physical: ramps, elevators, seating

sensory: quiet rooms, scent-free spaces

digital: captions, screen-reader access

informational: plain language, large print, braille

removing barriers so people fully participate

the curb-cut effect

universal design helps everyone

sidewalk curb cuts → strollers, carts, suitcases benefit too

captions → help language learners, noisy environments, focus issues

takeaway: inclusive design = universal benefit

how ableism shows up today

terminating parental rights based on disability

institutionalizing people instead of community living

rideshare drivers refusing service animals or wheelchairs

COVID-19 care rationing excluding disabled people

disaster planning ignoring disabled needs

moving toward action

plan accessibility upfront, not retrofitted

learn from disabled voices, hire accessibility consultants

recognizes inaccessibility as discrimination, not inconvenience

accessibility = justice, belonging, equity