About Ableism

Ableism is a set of beliefs, values, thoughts, and/or behaviors that discriminate against people with physical, intellectual, or psychiatric disabilities. It can result in inaccessible environments, unhelpful attitudes and untrue assumptions about people with disabilities that put unwarranted limits on those with disabilities across a variety of life domains.

How ableism shows up

Myths About Life

People with disability are brave and Courageous
People with disabilities are more comfortable with "their own kind."
The lives of people with disabilities are totally different than the lives of people without disabilities.
Overcoming or Compensating
People with disability have a very different lifestyle and they cannot adjust anywhere apart from their own home

Myths About Working

People with disability are best suited to unskilled work
My insurance costs will increase if I hire someone with disability
People with disability are less productive
People with disability will not fit in the workplace
People with a physical disability should not go to college if they will experience discrimination in the job market
Kids with disabilities must be in all special education classrooms and program

Myths About Relationships

Non-disabled people are obligated to "take care of" people with disabilities.
Curious children should never ask people about their disabilities.
There is nothing one person can do to help eliminate the barriers confronting people with disabilities.
Most people with disabilities cannot have sexual relationships.
People with disabilities are asexual.
People with disabilities have more important things than sex to worry about
People with disabilities don't need sex education
People with disabilities don't get sexually assaulted.
People with disabilities should only marry and have sexual relationships with other people with disabilities.
People with disabilities should not have children.