We live in a society that is deeply, distinctly, institutionally ableist. To many able-bodied or neurotypical people, this canker of ableism seems hidden beneath the surface: they don’t have to think about it, so they will not notice. It is not callousness, or a lack of care necessarily, just a learned ignorance. They don’t notice […]
Tag: ableism
Categories
Why Disability History Month Matters
November marks Disability History Month and we should all be celebrating. It is a month long national event which showcases the diverse cultural history of disabled people while highlighting the horrific injustices and systematic exclusions the community have forever faced. The first Disability History Month was held in 2010, launching a national organisation that “(created) […]
Who knew that wading into the dangerous comedic waters of ableism could be so… fun? The oxymoronic pairing is the prevailing theme of the evening as Scottish writer and director Robert Softley Gale takes aim at Hollywood’s continual penchant for the cultural appropriation of disability in My Left/Right Foot. Drama, retribution, and tender love ensues […]
Ableism is a form of discrimination against the disabled. It can manifest itself through the language or actions of individuals, be perpetuated by inconsiderate government policies, or be institutionally ingrained in businesses, schools and universities. Not only can it be extremely upsetting for disabled people on a personal level, ableism also contributes to the disparities […]
A significant proportion of the population live with invisible conditions or disabilities that have a huge impact on their day to day lives. An invisible disability is one that is not immediately apparent from an individual’s appearance. Some examples of these include inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), severe allergies, mental health disorders, chronic pain, fibromyalgia and […]
A few months ago, whilst trawling down my news feed, I came across a not uncommon debate between two of my Facebook friends. The pair were arguing about the merits and shortcomings of a Prime Minister, when one concluded that the politician in question had “crippled” their country’s industry. The debate itself ended here, with […]