WTS Boston DEI-in-Motion: Ableism and Accessibility
Ableism is engrained in our society and has long been a part of our culture. People may think ableism is obvious, but it often operates in a way that makes it difficult to articulate and to recognize why something is ableist. WTS Boston’s Diversity Committee wants to spotlight what ableism is, how to recognize it, and examples of how we can all be inclusive.
What is ableism?
Ableism can be defined as “attitudes, actions, and circumstances that devalue people because they are disabled or perceived to have a disability”.
Recognizing ableism
We cannot talk about ableism without acknowledging that it is interconnected with other forms of discrimination. Even groups that are committed to challenging discrimination can use tactics that are ableist and exclusionary in certain spaces.
Accessibility and ableism
Accessibility is often thought of in the forms of ramps, elevators within buildings, but it is much more than that. It can be viewed simply as; when disabled people can fully use and experience a product or a service, and when accommodations are provided to ensure that it is possible for disabled people to occupy and move freely in the space. Essentially, Accessibility is about making things equitable so that disabled people may have the same opportunities and support to thrive as non-disabled people.
Examples of accommodations that can make spaces, meetings, or events more equitable:
- Designated quiet rooms with dim lights for people with sensory overload
- Flexible hours to enable people to work on schedules that are right for their body
- Sending material in advance of meetings so people have time to process information
- Providing live captioning and sign-language for people hard of hearing
- Designating seating area for people with mobility disabilities
- Offering large print or braille material for people with vision disabilities
Resources:
Demystifying Disability – What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally by Emily Ladau. Demystifying Disability by Emily Ladau: 9781984858979 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books