Ableism
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Ableism ( 
) and disablism are two social science concepts derived from the English terms Ableism and Disablism (able = able, to disable = to make incapable, disabled = disabled, disability = disability suffix -ism = -ism) from the field of the US-American disability movement and disability studies respectively.
The term Ableism refers to judging people based on their abilities, which is considered to be anti-disability. People with disabilities would be devalued because of the lack of certain abilities. This could result in discrimination or social prejudice against people with disabilities.
Ableism and disablism are related to the term handicapism, and the term "physicalism" is used interchangeably.
Discrimination against people who have or are at risk of having a mental disorder, on the other hand, is also called "mentalism".
Ableism, disablism, and ableism.
Discrimination against people with disabilities is also called disablism. Gregor Wolbring, Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Health Service at the University of Calgary (Canada), explains disablism as the "companion" of rejectionism:
"In its general form, Ableism is a set of beliefs, processes, and practices that create a particular way of understanding the self, the body, and relationships with conspecifics, other species, and one's environment, based on one's own abilities, and includes perceptions by others. Ableism is based on a preference for certain abilities that are projected as essential, while at the same time labeling real or perceived deviation from or lack of these essential abilities as a diminished state of being, often leading to the accompanying disableism, the discriminatory, oppressive, or abusive behavior that arises from the belief that people without these 'essential' abilities are inferior to others."
Fiona Campbell also distinguishes between disablism and rejectionism. According to her, disablism is traditionally the focus of research in the field of disability studies. Disablism promotes the unequal treatment of the (physically) disabled in relation to the non-disabled. It (distantly) marks the disabled person as "the other" and works from the perspective of those without disabilities.
According to Rebekka Maskos, "Ableism is broader than ableism. Like racism and sexism, the term maps not only the practice of dealing with a group, but also the social conditions and structures that produce that practice. Ableism is not only reflected in a slanted comment or a pat on the head, but also in the staircase without a ramp, in the lack of a lift, in the funds that organisers simply do not want to raise for sign language interpreting, live streaming or easy language. Conversely, the term ableism can also suggest that it is enough to simply change one's own attitude - namely into a 'disabled-friendly' one."
See also
- Audism
- Handicapism
- Disability
- Independent living
- Intersectionality
- UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Questions and Answers
Q: What is ableism?
A: Ableism or ablecentrism is prejudice towards disabled people.
Q: When was the first known use of the word "ableism"?
A: The first known use of the word was in 1981.
Q: Can ableism be intentional or unintentional?
A: Yes, ableism can be both intentional and unintentional. People may not notice that it exists because it is so common.
Q: Who holds such a prejudice?
A: A person who holds such a prejudice is called an ablecentrist.
Q: Is there agreement about what things are considered to be ableist?
A: Not everyone who talks about ableism agrees about what things are considered to be ableist.
Q: Are there laws that protect disabled people from discrimination?
A: Yes, in some countries, there are laws that are made to protect disabled people from discrimination and Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities also prohibits such discriminations.
