JRS Educational Therapy

Friday, January 12, 2024 by Julie Stoner | Identity Work

Internalized Ableism

“Internalized ableism is when a disabled person discriminates against themselves and other disabled people by holding the view that:

• disability is something to be ashamed of, 
• or something to hide,
• or by refusing accessibility or support.”

It manifests when individuals with disabilities internalize negative societal perceptions and biases about their own abilities, reinforcing a sense of inferiority or inadequacy.

When students with disabilities absorb negative stereotypes and believe in their own limitations, it hampers their self-esteem and hinders academic and social development.

Great Videos on the Topic:

Internalized Ableism & How to Cope Sydney Zarlengo

https://youtu.be/3YhUGaF_E8o?si=pZxJzz_VUxQlX8AN

Internalized Ableism Purple Ella

https://youtu.be/6f9VFMIhAxs?si=k86uKyT8wkDfVs6z

 The Chronic Notebook 

https://youtu.be/94j9MV0l-94?si=1l3HEDZzQVUIFbdI

 A Guide to Ableism Sydney Zarlengo 

https://youtu.be/eFefext8Amk?si=z3AzIjvUbMzc3Ykm

 Ableism PBS Wisconsin Education 

https://youtu.be/FDsx6TJmx8Q?si=yOJ05FJAHb3mgz1s

 Multicultural Autism Activist Network 

https://youtu.be/269OJTXffnc?si=sWAJpYoBqPl-b_HO

To counter internalized ableism, schools need to implement strategies that foster a positive self-image and promote the capabilities of individuals with disabilities. This includes  incorporating diverse and representative content in the curriculum, providing accessible learning resources, and cultivating a supportive and inclusive community.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Raise Awareness: Acknowledge and confront ableism in both societal structures and within yourself. Awareness is the first step towards challenging and transforming our perspectives and reactions.

Embrace Support: Encourage individuals with disabilities to shed any feelings of shame when seeking the help and support they rightfully deserve. Personally grappling with this challenge highlights the need to dismantle societal stigmas surrounding asking for assistance.

Strength in Seeking Support: Recognize that seeking support is not a sign of weakness or personal failure. Instead, it reveals the systemic weaknesses inherent in an inequitable system. People with disabilities exhibit tremendous strength by navigating and thriving in a system not inherently designed to accommodate them.

Beyond Productivity: Challenge the notion that personal worth is tied to productivity or output. You are not defined by what you do; your value transcends societal expectations of productivity. Embrace your inherent worth beyond conventional measures.