July is Disability Pride Month and it is nearly two years since the AbleOTUK affinity group popped into existence. Today’s #OTalk is being hosted by the group on how to spot and challenge ableism and continue to #BeAnAbleOTUKAlly
Do check out our previous chats here:
18th August 2020 https://otalk.co.uk/2020/08/11/otalk-18th-august-2020-occupational-therapy-and-ableism/
26th July 2022
These introduce the concept of ableism and discuss concepts re allyship to the disabled community. Tonight’s chat is going to explore the different types of ableism you make come across in order that we can begin to spot and challenge these in our practice and day to day lives.
Levels of Ableism
Institutional
This form of ableism affects institutions. An example is medical ableism, which is rooted in the idea that disability of any kind is a problem that needs fixing. When this is part of medical teaching and health policy, it affects the entire healthcare system and the well-being of patients.
Interpersonal
This is ableism that takes place in social interactions and relationships. For example, a parent of a child with a disability might try to “cure” the disability rather than accept it.
Internal
Internalized ableism is when a person consciously or unconsciously believes in the harmful messages they hear about disability and applies them to themselves. For example, a person may feel that disability accommodations are a privilege and not a right.
Different Forms of Ableism
| Experience | Description | Specific Experiences | Link to example |
Benevolent Ableism | An assumption wherein disabled people are vulnerable, weak and dependent. This tends to romanticise acts of ‘overcoming their limitations’ resulting in the objectification of disabled people as they are perceived as ‘specimens of wonder and amazement’ | Being an inspiration when in: Public School/Work A Medical Context Being depicted as ‘heroic supercrips’ in stories. | I’m not your inspiration, thank you very much https://www.ted.com/talks/stella_young_i_m_not_your_inspiration_thank_you_very_much |
Hostile Ableism | Negative forms of ableism in which other members of the society exploit or attack disabled people | Verbal Abuse Physical Assault Sexual Assault Bullying General Harassment | Trigger warning for SA in this video https://www.tiktok.com/@blindtobes/video/7251642245143645467?lang=en |
Ambivalent Ableism | A combination of both hostile and benevolent ableism, shifting from one to the other depending on the situation and circumstances. | ||
| 3a. Paternalistic | Patronising speech and behaviours. | Unwanted help Infantalisation General Pity Invalidation Overprotection | Consequences of Confronting Patronizing Help for People with Disabilities: Do Target Gender and Disability Type Matter? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7316393/ |
| 3b. Jealousy/Envy | An attitude of desiring things that a disabled person receives/gets. | Jealousy over a disabled person’s: Accomodations Perceived Privileges Accusation over benefit exploitation | People on benefits with mental health problems given cars worth £40k https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/07/07/benefits-mobility-scheme-mental-health-cars-worth-40k/ |
| 3c. Dehumanising/objectifying | Behaviours that fail to respect the inherent right of being human. | Depersonalisation Invasion of Privacy Abandonment/Neglect Deligitimisation. | Medical or Physical Neglect https://disabilityjustice.org/medical-or-physical-neglect/ |
| 3d. Fear-based | Behaviours ruled by fear. | Existential concerns over life Fears of Catching or passing a disability General Avoidance. | ‘I’d Rather Be Dead Than Disabled’—The Ableist Conflation and the Meanings of Disability https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317621712_%27I%27d_Rather_Be_Dead_Than_Disabled%27-The_Ableist_Conflation_and_the_Meanings_of_Disability |
Source: Yao et al.
Questions
- Tell us about your experiences of the three different levels of Ableism: Institutional, Interpersonal and Internal – which you do see more of and why?
- How can Occupational Therapists act to challenge these three different levels of Ableism: Institutional, Interpersonal and Internal
- Benevolent Ableism is rife in Occupational Therapy practice – why do you think this is?
- Share some examples of paternalistic speech or behaviours you have seen within healthcare and offer some more empowering alternatives.
- How can you challenge your own Internal Ableism and how might this benefit society as a whole?
Reference
Yao et al., (2022) . Is occupational therapy an ableist health profession? A critical reflection on ableism and occupational therapy. Cadernos Brasileiros de Terapia Ocupacional, 30(e3303). doi:10.1590/2526-8910.ctoRE252733032
OTalk 