Ableism may be the concept you are least familiar with regarding the discrimination of minority groups. Characterized as social, ethnic, gender or other segments that, regardless of quantity, possess little political, social and economic representation. They are also called minorities and minority groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sexism in regards to women, racism against black people, and homophobia, transphobia and other forms of gender discrimination towards the LGBTQIA+ community, are concepts that are already largely debated nationwide and that have came to prominence in the past years. This is due thanks to events of national reach and entertainment TV shows that mobilize the audience with these issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The word \u201cableism\u201d means the discrimination of people with disabilities. The term is based on the social construct of a standard body type, without any disabilities, known as \u201cnormal\u201d, and on the underestimation of people\u2019s ability and aptitude in virtue of their disabilities.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ableism is considered a form of prejudice<\/strong>, usually coming from people without disabilities, that prejudge the abilities of people with disabilities based solely on what they believe about that condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many people do not have any knowledge of ableism due to the lack of popular debate. Little is discussed nowadays about the non-compliance of the legislation that ensures the right and full participation of the person with disabilities in society. <\/strong>This behavior only aggravates this form of prejudice, since it is a way of perpetuating the belief that people with disabilities are not capable of actively participating in society, which is a huge misconception.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Veiled ableism happens when many people refer to people with disabilities with a kind of \u201cheroic perception\u201d. In other words, an overvaluation of performing basic tasks<\/strong>, for instance. This happens because of the depth of structural and unconscious discrimination based on disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ableist is how people with limiting beliefs regarding people with disabilities are called. <\/strong>They judge others in such a way that they exclude them from society. Be it in a conversation group or even in the workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are also considered ableists those people that \u201cjoke around\u201d pointing out disabilities. Or even those sentences that refer to people without disabilities, but using a disability in a demeaning way. We will talk more about some ableist expressions further along this text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the United States, there is legislation that ensures people with disabilities\u2019 rights and their inclusion in society<\/a>. It is called ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)<\/strong><\/a>, that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities, also ensuring their inclusion in all means<\/strong>. It also serves as a guideline for private and public corporations to follow and guarantee accessibility and integration into the economic, political, cultural and educational mainstream of American society.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n With the proper accessibility resources in place, most of the time people with disabilities can carry out their activities with autonomy and independence. This promotes their full participation in society, education and workplace included.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When these regulations are not respected in our country, either because of negligence or bad faith, we can also consider it as a form of ableism.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There are three forms of ableism:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many people mistakenly refer to people with disabilities as if they had a disease. This is called medical ableism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This term is used to define the most common type of ableism in society. It refers to those bad jokes involving disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This kind of ableism happens when organizations hire the bare minimum of employees with disabilities and do not treat them with equity<\/a> in relation to their peers without disabilities. This is also noticed in the lack of accessibility in those places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many people, even due to lack of knowledge, end up behaving and reproducing ableist sentences. This is why it is so important to seek information. This way we can make a difference and break this prejudice loop.<\/strong> So here are some examples of ableist sentences to take off of your vocabulary:<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the main consequences of excluding people with disabilities is that this puts them in vulnerable situations, <\/strong>since they don\u2019t get the same education and work opportunities. Without even mentioning the emotional and psychological damages<\/strong>, since by being diminished, they do not feel like they belong. Many of them end up having to deal with these feelings by themselves, due to lack of acceptance and understanding from other people that don\u2019t actually experience this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, and it is also considered a federal hate crime! <\/strong>The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, alongside with the ADA, ensures people with disabilities\u2019 rights, and respect is one of them! <\/strong>This is why discriminatory attitudes against people with disabilities can and should be punished by law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Referring to a person\u2019s disability to diminish or turn them into a hero is ableism. Therefore, treating people with disabilities with equity and respect is to contribute to a non-ableist society<\/strong>. However, there are some key points that we must pay attention to and take into consideration:<\/p>\n\n\n\n To avoid ableism, it is necessary to mind ableist attitudes from others around us and ourselves.<\/strong> Underestimating people with disabilities, not believing in their ability to perform activities, is an ableist attitude. The same happens with their overvaluation when they carry out a common daily activity with autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is an ableist person?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What is ableism in the United States?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What are the different forms of ableism?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Medical ableism:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Recreational ableism:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Institutional ableism:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Examples of ableist sentences<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What are the consequences of ableism?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Is ableism a crime?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How to avoid ableism?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Mind your attitudes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n