Disablism

Disability

A disability is not who a person is but, instead, what characteristics impair or restrict them from typical functioning. There are many types of disabilities that can be unseen, as in mental health conditions, intellectual disabilities, and even deafness. Other disabilities that can be seen include having a physical disability, blindness, difficulty walking, or having to use a wheelchair. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a disability is defined as having an impairment, activity limitation, or a restriction from participating in activities. According to WHO, people with disabilities are among the most marginalized population in the world, often experiencing poor health, low socioeconomic status, low academic achievement, and poverty. Recognizing what a disability looks like can be subjective and often based on opinion because people with disabilities have lived experiences that are identified by them as “normal” despite society telling them otherwise.

Models of Disability: Social and Medical

The two most common models of disability are the social model and the medical model. The social model addresses environmental and societal [Page 465]barriers. This view often does not exclude the participation of a person with a disability but makes it almost impossible for someone with a disability to participate. Not all disabilities are visible, so considerations and accommodations can be overlooked or assumed to be nonessential. Examples of the social model being proactive and effective may include having a ramp next to a set of stairs, making handouts accessible when lecturing a group, or using large type font for the visually impaired. The medical model defines the person by the impairment. This view identifies the impairment as the disabled person’s problem. For example, the individual with a disability would have to take all responsibility for the inability to participate in an activity without an accommodation. This means people with disabilities are responsible for modifying their time and effort to not pose an inconvenience to others. This approach often excludes an individual with a disability from participation and will leave a disabled person alienated.

Ableism and Disablism

Ableism involves an individual without a disability engaging in negative attitudes and views toward people with disabilities. It often results in the social exclusion of a person with a disability, who feels isolated and personally attacked as they are viewed as different from others. This creates a feeling of inferiority and is often tied to depression, anxiety, apathy, and even psychosis. Characteristics that individuals without disabilities often possess include anxiety, avoidance, uncertainty, and sometimes superiority over others. When these feelings become actions that are outwardly revealed toward an individual with a disability, it is called disablism. Disablism, rooted in ableism, is the oppressive and adverse behavior that perpetuates feelings of inferiority among people with a disability.

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