How do you define ableism? Aren't there all types of abilities?
That's true. There are countless types of abilities. I can't define ableism; I can only describe how I experience it. Please bear with me if I'm not quite clear. I take a lot of meds for my "disabilities," one of which makes my brain kind of foggy.
I experience ableism systematically. For example, the city where I live is extremely inaccessible. The sidewalks are cracked, very few of them have curb cuts, and many buildings have stairs and no ramps. The government in my city is not very concerned with accessibility. That system favors people whose bodies function in ways that are considered healthy and normal in our society.
I experience ableism symbolically. Accessible parking spaces are designated with the symbol of a person in a wheelchair. I don't often use a wheelchair, and I don't always look like I have a physical impairment. That symbol enforces the idea that people with impairments should look "disabled."
I experience ableism personally when strangers ask extremely invasive questions about my conditions. I experience ableism when people find out that my medications impair my thinking ability and decide to ignore me, and when people who know about my impairments assume that I'm not able to do certain things, like having sex for example.
That's what ableism is for me. A combination of systematic, symbolic, and interpersonal values that favor people that society deems healthy. I hope that helps. - BT
Another mod's response: Absolutely! We believe that all people, regardless of their various mental and physical ability statuses, should be treated equally and with respect. Everyone has different abilities, but difference should not be something to be feared. Difference and diversity is a good thing, and we must embrace all differences, whether it be physical, mental, racial, gender, sexual, class... so on and so forth.
According to our handy-dandy FAQ, we define ableism as "any discrimination against someone because of their differing physical, mental, or psychological status. This could include physical limitations, such as being in a wheelchair, mental limitations such as ‘autism,’ and psychological limitations such as any mental health concern, diagnosed or not."
We also have a link to a really great article about ableism.
Thanks for your question! - mk