6 Ableism

It is difficult to think about accessibility in its many forms – physical, societal, institutional, and so on – without considering ableism. Ableism refers to prejudice against individuals with disabilities, giving rise to negative stereotyping, adverse living conditions, and discrimination. It is a set of biases, unconscious or otherwise, that conspire to diminish the status, value, and contributions of people with disabilities. As disability scholar Vera Chouinard describes it, ableism is manifest in the “ideas, practices, institutions, and social relations that presume able-bodiedness, and by doing so construct persons with disabilities as marginalized … and largely invisible ‘others’.”^[1] As one writer living with a disability, Sohpie Harrison, suggests “maybe, buried deep in the minds of the not-yet-disabled, there is an ableist belief that chronically ill people just aren’t trying hard enough.”^[2] Ableism limits the full participation of people with disabilities in society and restricts their ability to realize their full potential.

The extent and manifestation of ableism varies from country to country and is influenced by a range of factors, including cultural attitudes, pop culture depictions, the level of regulation and support provided by the government, and the availability of accessible infrastructure and technology. In Canada, ableism is perhaps only eclipsed by ageism in its ubiquity and degree of tacit social acceptance. It is present in every sector and industry, from education and academia, to commerce and industry, to health care and community services.

There are three types of ableism – hostile, benevolent and ambivalent.^[3]  Hostile ableism takes the form of bullying, violence or verbally abusive behaviour. Benevolent ableism views people with disabilities as weak, vulnerable, or in need of rescuing. Ambivalent ableism, sometimes referred to as passive ableism, is neglecting to consider the needs and requirements for access and inclusion.^[4]  Ableism most typically manifests as this third form – a kind of low-grade, generalized societal acceptance of exclusion.  One study found that over three quarters of the US population displayed an implicit ableist bias.^[5] Consider, for example, how outraged most people would be at discovering that someone was turned away from a restaurant or café because of their race.  Yet, this happens routinely with respect to people living with certain disabilities.  The lack of attention, care, and investment in considering even a relatively common physical or institutional barrier (e.g. a new restaurant or public building with poor wheelchair accessibility)^[6] is evidence of ableism.  ‘Micro-aggressions’, despite the hostility implied in the term, is a contemporary proxy for ambivalent ableism.

In some countries, there have been significant efforts to address ableism, through the implementation of policies and programs that promote accessibility, diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities for people with disabilities. However, in other countries, ableism remains a significant barrier to the full participation of people with disabilities in society.