Can A Disabled Person Exhibit Ableism?

Ableism, sometimes referred to as ablism, disablism (in British English), anapirophobia, anapirism, or disability discrimination, is a term that encompasses various forms of discrimination and social prejudice targeted at individuals who have physical or mental disabilities. This widespread issue involves biases and stereotypes that can lead to unequal treatment, exclusion, or systemic disadvantages for disabled people in various aspects of their lives, such as education, employment, and social interactions. Ableism reflects a pervasive problem that challenges the principles of equality and inclusion for individuals with disabilities.

What distinguishes disability from ableism? Disability discrimination, also known as disablism, primarily focuses on the unfair treatment and prejudice faced by individuals with disabilities. In contrast, ableism centers on the systemic advantages and privileges bestowed upon those who are not disabled, often at the expense of disabled individuals. This distinction helps clarify that disablism addresses the challenges faced by people with disabilities, while ableism examines the societal biases that perpetuate these challenges by favoring the non-disabled population.