Ableism: The Many Manifestations of Disability Prejudice

Ableism is a complex and evolving phenomenon encompassing benevolent, paternalistic, ambivalent, and hostile attitudes, and behavioral practices based on perceived disability status. Ableism can be expressed deliberately or unintentionally through individual beliefs, emotions, and organizational policies that discriminate against people based on their presumed ability/disability. To date, the scientific literature has investigated ableism as a predominantly negative set of explicit attitudes about disability or disabled people as a group. Yet, legislative changes to improve disability rights and increase access and inclusion have revealed more modern manifestations of ableism, including sympathetic, envious, exploitative, and even brutal cases of hate. The following paragraphs illustrate the more common manifestations of ableism along with some of its antecedents and consequences.