This is part one of a three part series.
Part one will provide an overview of what ableism is.
Genetic counsellors are good, reasonable and well intentioned people. They reflect upon their words and actions and strive to do better. They want to do their best for their patients and their colleagues. They want to help, not hurt. I am one of these people. You are one of these people.
However, despite best intentions, genetic counsellors can also unintentionally hurt people by accidentally saying or doing things that result in a person with a marginalised identity feeling uncomfortable, insulted or 'less than'. I am one of these people. You are one of these people.
This blog post centres around ableism.
What is ableism?
Ableism is an attitude, situation, way of operating, or system that is standard for someone without a disability but not amenable to people with a disability.
Ableism can be obvious or subtle; purposeful or accidental, conscious or unconscious; systemic or individual; discrimination writ large or a microaggression. What is interpreted as ableism by one person may not be by another person. You can experience ableism and inflict it upon others.
What are some real life examples of ableism?
Not having real-time captions in online meetings and events
Not using image descriptions or alt text for images
Providing very limited seating for a stand up lunch at a conference
Expecting that people will be able to hear what we are saying and verbally communicate
Presuming that people have sufficient vision that they can rely upon their eyes to help them navigate life
Assuming that people who are disabled will look or act "disabled enough" in line with our own preconceived expectations
Being surprised that people with a level of disability which we perceive to be severe are in a romantic relationship with a non-disabled person.
Assuming someone with a visible disability needs help and “helping them” without asking
Having a space which is technically accessible but where the ramp or lift is difficult to find, located a long way from the main entrance or requires a staff member to unlock the ramp/lift before it can be used
Assuming that people are neurotypical
Assuming that people are able to learn in the same way or at the same pace or without assistance as their peers
Bending down to talk to a wheelchair user
Speaking more loudly or more simply to someone with a physical disability even though their hearing, cognition and communication is typical
Not speaking to a person with a disability but to someone else in their company
Not offering and/or denying reasonable accommodations to students or colleagues with a disability which prevents them from participating in education or employment
Viewing disability as either tragic or inspirational
Saying "It was crazy!" or "That's so lame" or "It's the blind leading the blind" or "I can be a little OCD with how I clean my kitchen".
Do any of those examples ring true for you? Have you done or said something similar? Have you witnessed others do or say something similar? I can say yes to each of these questions.
Is ableism the same for visible and invisible disabilities?
Ableism directed at people with a visible disability can underestimate their abilities. Take Dylan Alcott in this transcript of an interview excerpt. Dylan is an Australian wheelchair tennis player. Andrew Denton is an Australian interviewer.
Transcript of video
Andrew Denton: What are the things that people expect that you can't do?
Dylan Alcott: Oh, look, there's a lot of things. There's a lot of misconceptions about people with disabilities that is definitely the hardest part. I'm very lucky to live the life that I live but I was in Sydney a few months ago and I ordered a coffee at a coffee shop after I was working on radio and this lady came up in tears. I was like, 'Are you ok?' and she said 'It's just so inspirational to see you here getting your own coffee.' [audience laughter] And I said to her 'It's inspirational seeing you get your own coffee too!' [audience laughter] And she said 'What do you mean?' and I said 'I get not one, but two, sometimes three lattes a day you know'. And she was just being nice you know? But her expectation of me is that I can't do anything. And what if she is a HR manager or a recruiter for a job or the mother of my potential partner, whatever? Those limitations and expectations make it very hard.
Ableism directed at people with an invisible disability can overestimate their abilities. Take me for example. I have an invisible, genetically inherited chronic illness which sometimes disables me. There are no clues to help people work out when accommodations are necessary or that if I say I can’t do something or am unwell that I'm not making it up or seeking attention or being lazy. I need to disclose my needs, advocate for my right to access accommodations, and hope that the people I'm approaching will believe me and choose not to discriminate against me.
Any type of ableism can be harmful. To the person who receives the ableism and the person who carries it out. Part two discusses this in detail. Stay tuned.
Author: Janette Hayward, Founder, Dare To Be Aware
Comments