Core forms of ABLEISM:
1. Individual Ableism
Direct attitudes, beliefs, or actions from a person.
Name-calling, mockery, slurs
Assuming disabled people are “less capable”
Speaking over or infantilising someone
Ignoring access needs or boundaries
👉 This is the most visible form—but not the only one.
2. Interpersonal Ableism
How ableism shows up in interactions between people.
Dismissing someone’s lived experience
Comparing disabilities (“others have it worse”)
Gaslighting symptoms or needs
Tokenism or performative support
👉 This often hides behind “opinions” or “debates” but causes real harm.
3. Institutional Ableism
When systems, organisations, or policies disadvantage disabled people.
Workplaces refusing reasonable adjustments
Schools not supporting learning needs
Healthcare dismissing symptoms
Legal systems lacking accessibility
👉 This is where the Equality Act 2010 (UK) should protect—but often fails in practice.
4. Structural (Systemic) Ableism
Deep-rooted inequality built into society itself.
Inaccessible buildings and transport
Digital spaces not designed for accessibility
Employment barriers and bias
Poverty disproportionately affecting disabled people
👉 This is the big-picture version of institutional ableism.
5. Cultural Ableism
Societal beliefs, media, and narratives that shape how disability is viewed.
Portraying disabled people as “inspirational” just for existing
Villainising disability in films
Erasing disabled voices from media
Treating disability as something to “fix”
👉 This influences how everyone thinks about disability.
6. Internalised Ableism
When disabled people absorb harmful societal beliefs.
Feeling like a burden
Pushing beyond limits to “prove worth”
Denying or minimising needs
Shame around disability
👉 This is one of the most painful forms—because it turns inward.
⚠️ Specific Expressions of Ableism
7. Medical Ableism
Treating disabled people as problems to cure
Dismissing chronic pain or invisible illness
Prioritising “normality” over quality of life
8. Economic Ableism
Hiring discrimination
Lack of accessible job opportunities
Benefits stigma (“scrounger” narratives)
9. Digital Ableism
Websites without screen reader support
No captions on videos
Poor contrast or unreadable fonts
10. Environmental Ableism
No ramps, lifts, or accessible toilets
Overstimulating environments (noise/light)
Unsafe or inaccessible public spaces
11. Educational Ableism
Lack of support plans
Punishing neurodivergent behaviours
One-size-fits-all teaching
12. Linguistic Ableism
Using disability as an insult (“crazy”, “lame”)
Dismissing language preferences
Talking about disabled people, not with them
💔 Subtle / Often Overlooked Forms
13. Comparative Ableism
“Others have it worse”
“At least you’re not…”
👉 Invalidates real experiences and creates hierarchy of suffering.
14. Inspiration Porn
Using disabled people as motivation for others
“If they can do it, what’s your excuse?”
👉 Dehumanising, even when it seems “positive”.
15. Benevolent Ableism
Over-helping or assuming helplessness
Speaking in a patronising tone
Making decisions for someone
👉 Looks like kindness—but removes autonomy.
16. Access Denial
Ignoring requests for adjustments
Making access feel like a burden
Last-minute or token accommodations
💬 MY Core Message:
Ableism isn’t just cruelty.
It’s dismissal, comparison, inaccessibility, silence, and systems that were never built with us in mind.
And importantly:
👉 Comparing struggles is ableism
👉 Invalidating lived experience is ableism
👉 Withholding support is ableism
I'm working on making slides next as part of my advocacy, but please, just be #kinder to one another, that's all.
Sarah Wingfield ❤️
AuDHD, EDhS, Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction, POTS, CPTSD, +
#disabilityinclusion #strongertogether #disability #disabilityawareness #disabilitysupport #disabilityrights
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