Jillian IlanaJanuary 13, 2022Comment

Defining Ableism

Jillian IlanaJanuary 13, 2022Comment

Ableism: discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities

Sounds simple, right? Not so fast.

Since starting this blog two years ago I’ve quickly come to realize that ableism is not widely understood. In fact, I was recently told that ableism was a made-up term created just to insult someone who, at the time, was being ableist.

And, if I’m being honest, until relatively recently I did not know there was a word to define the discrimination and prejudice I faced on a daily basis.

Speaking from experience, I can say that ableism is not make-believe. Ableism is systemic, it is inherent in the society and environment we live in. For example:

Ableism is asking where the handicap-accessible bathroom is and being told it is across the street, in another building, four floors up.

Ableism is walking into a bathroom and not being able to reach the sink or the soap.

Ableism is not being able to ride the subway because the station does not have an elevator.

Ableism is refusing to build a ramp.

Ableism is employers resisting or refusing to make reasonable accommodations which, by law, they are required to do.

Ableism is the continued portrayal of disability stereotypes in the media.

Ableism is choosing to hire non-disabled actors to play disabled characters.

Ableism is a presidential candidate publicly and shamelessly mocking a reporter not for the questions they asked or the article they wrote, but for their disability.

Ableism is being called a “that'' instead of a person.

The list goes on and on and on.

Ableism is real. Ableism, like disability, can affect anyone at any time.

I know that there will be people who will continue to remain ignorant, even perhaps after reading this. All I can do with the platforms I’ve created for myself is continue to speak out and hope that people listen. As a little person, as a disabled person, ableism is something I will always have to face. When I was younger, I used to be afraid to use my voice, to speak out and advocate for myself and my community. Not anymore. I am unafraid to make myself seen and heard in a world where I am easily overlooked.