Disabled folks make up the largest \u201cminority\u201d group that includes the most diversity, and anyone can experience or acquire a disability at any point in their life.<\/p>\n
And yet\u00a0<\/b>even in feminist and social justice spaces<\/i><\/b>, ableism persists.<\/b><\/p>\n
We continue to use\u00a0ableist metaphors and language<\/a>\u00a0in these spaces. Often, we use these phrases as ways to describe our thoughts, but ultimately we continue to equate disability as a\u00a0Bad Thing<\/a>\u00a0and use ableist language for its negative connotation.<\/p>\n And we wonder why disabled people often feel that mainstream feminism leaves both disabled people and disability issues out of the conversation entirely.<\/p>\n When disabled people are\u00a0continually overlooked<\/a>\u00a0as a marginalized identity, it makes the consequences of our oppression even worse.<\/p>\n So until disabilities are no longer seen as an inherently Bad Thing (which is a whole other conversation),\u00a0we need to be very intentional about not using ableist language \u2013 especially when talking about social justice.<\/b><\/p>\n As feminists, our conversations have to change.<\/p>\n Despite knowing that\u00a0ableist language matters<\/a>,\u00a0much of the phrasing used in feminist discourse is, believe it or not, ableist<\/b>. Here are a few examples!<\/p>\n Not everyone is able to recognize their privilege. And when people can\u2019t seem to recognize it, people often say they\u2019re \u201cblind\u201d to it.<\/p>\n In this phrase, \u201cblind\u201d is equated with \u201cignorant.\u201d That\u2019s not what being blind means.<\/p>\n Blindness is a physical condition of the eyes \u2014 it\u2019s not a way to describe someone who lacks critical understanding<\/b>.<\/p>\n And to continue referring to blindness in this context only furthers the stigma and misconceptions that surround the condition and the people with it.<\/p>\n Instead, say \u201cThey don\u2019t recognize their privilege.\u201d<\/p>\n This phrase is an expression for people who refuse to try to understand something we might be explaining. It refers to people who willingly choose to ignore our perspective.<\/p>\n This associates deafness with unwillingness or inability to understand<\/b>. Those who are d\/Deaf or hard of hearing don\u2019t need to hear to understand!<\/p>\n Instead, say \u201cThey refuse to understand\u201d or \u201cThey didn\u2019t realize.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCrippled\u201d is commonly used to describe the \u201cbrokenness\u201d of something. Unfortunately, \u201ccrippled\u201d has also been used as a hurtful slur against disabled people\u00a0<\/b>\u2014\u00a0it describes\u00a0<\/b>them<\/i><\/b>\u00a0as broken.<\/b><\/p>\n And\u00a0disabled people are not broken<\/b>.<\/p>\n Some disability activists are choosing to reclaim the words \u201ccrip\u201d and \u201cgimp.\u201d But non-disabled feminists cannot reclaim a slur that has not been used against them.<\/p>\n Instead, say \u201cRacists are assholes\u201d or \u201cRacists are unable to connect with their humanity and emotions.\u201d<\/p>\n This phrase is trying to describe how detached or even selfish our society can be \u2014 which only serves to validate the outrageous stigma against autistic people.<\/p>\n Due in part to awful organizations like\u00a0Autism Speaks<\/a>, us allistic individuals might believe that autism causes an\u00a0inability<\/i>\u00a0to communicate, connect, and empathize \u2013 but that\u2019s just not true.<\/p>\n Autism, while it varies in complexity, is a diversion from neurotypicality.\u00a0People on the spectrum are still human,\u00a0<\/b>despite what others might be saying.<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Instead, say \u201cThe world has become disconnected\u201d.<\/p>\n While slurs are easier to recognize in our phrases, we also use language that is ableist without the negative connotation.<\/p>\n Even words that don\u2019t seem hurtful are used specifically to describe and set apart certain disabilities\u00a0<\/b>\u2014 for example, \u201cspecial\u201d is still used to other people with intellectual disabilities.<\/p>\n We also tend to erase disabled identities through our language<\/b>.<\/p>\n Phrases like \u201cCan\u2019t you see what I mean,\u201d \u201cDo you hear what I\u2019m saying,\u201d or even \u201cstanding in solidarity\u201d are still exclusive. These phrases assume that everyone can actually see, hear, or stand.\u00a0This constructs a norm that a lot of us can\u2019t perform in<\/b>.<\/p>\n One of the most popular ways that temporarily non-disabled allies try to show their support of disabled people is through what\u2019s known as \u201cpeople first language.\u201d<\/p>\n They promise not to \u201cput the disability before the person\u201d and therefore choose to say \u201cpeople with disabilities\u201d instead of \u201cdisabled people.\u201d<\/p>\n And while the intent is good, the \u201cpeople first language\u201d movement relies on the fact that\u00a0<\/b>disabled people are consistently not seen as human<\/i><\/b>.<\/b><\/p>\n While it\u2019s up to the individual to decide whether or not they identify with their disability, disabled people often face the reality that non-disabled people only identify them as their disability. For example, to some people, I\u2019m simply known as \u201cthe wheelchair girl.\u201d<\/p>\n The people first language movement and statements like \u201cI don\u2019t see you as disabled\u201d are meant to be positive, but\u00a0they just reinforce the mainstream belief that disability is dehumanizing.<\/b><\/p>\n And when people with disabilities are not recognized as individual human beings, we are\u00a0made into props<\/a>. We are seen as \u201cless than\u201d and therefore deserving of only pity or charity.<\/p>\n On the other hand,\u00a0if we are not being pitied, then we are being praised<\/b>. We are seen as extraordinary and inspirational, simply because we\u2019ve managed to live while disabled.<\/p>\n The late disability rights activist and comedian Stella Young calls this common phenomenon\u00a0inspiration porn.<\/i><\/p>\n Inspiration porn is the name given to any propaganda meant to \u201cinspire\u201d temporarily non-disabled people with examples of individuals with disabilities.\u00a0Inspiration porn is for the\u00a0viewer\u2019s<\/i>\u00a0pleasure and education.<\/p>\n Inspiration porn<\/a>\u00a0reminds temporarily non-disabled people that their lives \u201ccan\u2019t be that bad.\u201d\u00a0As if living with a disability is the worst thing that can happen to a person<\/b>.<\/p>\n This puts an expectation on people with disabilities to serve as educational props<\/b>\u00a0for temporarily non-disabled people. It dehumanizes any person with a disability, as if our only purpose is to validate others.<\/p>\n Entering feminist or social justice spaces as the only \u2014 or even the\u00a0first<\/i>\u00a0\u2014 disabled person is common for me and many other disabled activists. And this common dehumanizing rhetoric isn\u2019t exactly welcoming.<\/p>\n All it does is make it easy to tokenize or ignore people with disabilities.<\/p>\n If we really want equity for all,<\/b>\u00a0we have to be intersectional\u00a0<\/b>and understand how our own biases and\u00a0our own privileges<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 especially when unchecked and ignored \u2014 will stop us from achieving our ultimate goal as feminists.<\/p>\n For example, reproductive rights are a concern for most feminists. But disabled people continue to\u00a0face additional challenges<\/a>\u00a0that go ignored \u2013 like inaccessible clinics and higher risks and costs of abortions.<\/p>\n When we advocate for reproductive rights, but ignore how that struggle intersects with disability,\u00a0we fail to achieve our goal as intersectional feminists.<\/strong><\/p>\n And we can\u2019t continue to ignore disability rights when the results of the continued injustices are devastating.\u00a0People with disabilities experience higher rates of hate-crimes, violence, and sexual assaults.<\/a><\/p>\n Not only do we have to consider disability rights in our feminist movements, we also need to recognize the intersection of race, sexuality, class, and so on for those who are also disabled.<\/b><\/p>\n For example, as a white woman, I learned to appreciate mainstream feminism for working to\u00a0close the wage gap<\/a>\u00a0so that I can get paid the same amount as my male counterparts. However, what mainstream feminism doesn\u2019t include is the fact that\u00a0women of color continue to make even less than me<\/i>.<\/p>\n Additionally, the substantial pay gap for disabled employees or the fact that\u00a0disabled people are half as likely to be employed<\/a>\u00a0goes completely unaddressed.<\/p>\n People of color experience\u00a0higher rates of disability<\/a>. Sexuality, gender identity, and gender expression are often completely disregarded for disabled folks, as other people can\u2019t often \u201csee past the disability.\u201d<\/p>\n People with mental health diagnoses or disabilities are\u00a0ten times more likely to be incarcerated<\/a>\u00a0than treated in a hospital.<\/p>\n Feminism can\u2019t allow these intersectional issues to be after-thoughts or sidebars along the mainstream\u2019s dialogue<\/b>.<\/p>\n One way to ensure that we aren\u2019t ignoring disability rights is to\u00a0invite disability activists in the conversation and make sure we\u2019re providing accessibility while doing so.<\/b><\/p>\n There are many different types of disabilities. Even if we have the same disability, it doesn\u2019t mean that we use the same accommodations.<\/p>\n We can start making our\u00a0spaces more inclusive and accessible<\/a>\u00a0by\u00a0simply asking what accommodations we need to provide by those who are participating<\/b>.<\/p>\n However, we can\u2019t wait for someone with a disability to show up to make these changes.\u00a0Some things we can start to do as allies without being asked or told, like ensuring a universally designed accessible space.<\/b><\/p>\n And I mean\u00a0actually<\/i>\u00a0accessible. And yes \u2014 that one stair\u00a0does<\/i>\u00a0count.<\/p>\n Even online there are ways to be readily accessible. When posting a video, include closed captioning and a transcript. When posting pictures, include a written description.<\/p>\n Making these accommodations isn\u2019t making exceptions or giving \u201cspecial treatment\u201d \u2014 it\u2019s simply providing equal opportunities for disabled people in our feminist efforts.<\/p>\n And\u00a0equitable accommodations ensure that equal opportunity<\/b>! For example, providing everyone with directions to your meeting space ahead of time is great, but if they don\u2019t include an accessible route, they\u2019re no use to me.<\/p>\nCommon Ableist Phrases Found Within Feminist Discourse (And What to Say Instead)<\/b><\/h2>\n
1. \u2018They\u2019re Blind to Their Privilege\u2019<\/b><\/h3>\n
2. \u2018Falls on Deaf Ears\u2019<\/b><\/h3>\n
3. \u2018Racists (Homophobes, Misogynists, Etc.) Are Emotionally Crippled\u2019<\/b><\/h3>\n
4. \u2018The World Has Gone Autistic\u2019<\/b><\/h3>\n
5. Other Subtle Ableist Phrasing<\/b><\/h3>\n
How We Dehumanize Disabled People<\/b><\/h2>\n
Intersectionality Must Include Disability<\/b><\/h2>\n
Accessibility or Bust<\/b><\/h2>\n