Eliminate ABLEIST LANGUAGE you unknowingly use
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The above screenshots are headlines in the news that highlight how pervasive ableist language is in our society.
What is Ableist language?
Ableist language are words and expressions used in our communication that treats disability as something negative or problematic.
Have you used these expressions in your life?
“You must be crazy.”
“Don’t be so dumb”
“All our pleas fell on deaf ears.”
“Jack turned a blind eye to the non-compliance of dress code.”
They seem innocuous and harmless but unknowingly, you have uttered linguistic micro-assaults on the community of people with disabilities. Some expressions are not even subtle and yet they are still used. Read on to know why it is important to be aware of them and eliminate them.
Read the sentences below.
“He is acting schizophrenic.”
“I had a bipolar day.”
Don't these expressions undermine psychiatric conditions but also looks at it as an attitude problem rather than a medical problem. Imagine you spoke this in-front of a real bipolar patient or schizophrenic patient. Wouldn’t they feel like hiding in a closet and feeling ever more embarrassed about a clinical disability/problem that is largely unnoticed by the eye.
Here is another one: “Manmohan Singh is wheel-chair bound.” (used in a news article by Indian Express)
Observe the word ‘bound’ that follows ‘wheel-chair’. This
again is giving away a negative world view of someone who relies on a wheel-chair.
“All my words are falling into deaf
ears.”
“You looked like a retard.”
The above sentences again conjure up an image of society’s attitude towards people with disability, most of whom have no control over their condition.
The danger of ableist language (a.k.a disablist language) is that it looks upon disability as something to be fixed, something to be ashamed about and evokes pity and disgust in some cases. Ableist language encourages a culture of separation. It may seem like a harmless metaphor but when the expression gains circulation, people using them somewhere believe what it means to be true on some level. This can have an undesirable impact on the way the disability is treated. It can have an undesirable effect on the way the people with disabilities feel about themselves and it has a boomerang effect when one of us experience a disability ourselves. It marginalizes.
Words are incredibly powerful and yet subtle. They can dictate how we perceive the world and can even shape societal attitudes. We can therefore use this power wisely and choose not to use ableist language in our communication.
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In this Era of metaphors we almost tend to use everything leaving our brains aside. Thankyou for giving us the thought to ponder.
ReplyDeleteNever looked at it this way. We actually use these words quite often without giving a thought to it, considering it to be harmless. Thank you for sharing your views and making us aware about it. Its worth spreading .
ReplyDeleteI truly appreciate the insightful article Deepa and I believe it sheds light on the pervasiveness of ableist language in our daily lives. It's astounding how seemingly harmless expressions can perpetuate negative stereotypes and contribute to the marginalization of individuals with disabilities.
ReplyDeleteThe examples you had shown as images clearly demonstrate the importance of being conscious of the words we use and how they might inadvertently perpetuate discrimination against people with disabilities. I personally think that you did a good job in driving home the message that language holds immense power and that we must choose our words wisely to promote inclusivity. You might want to connect with Sravanthi Vallampati.
My thoughts on how to eliminate ableist language are that we can start by educating ourselves and others about its impact on the disabled community. This might include sharing articles like this one, attending workshops or meetings on disability rights, and engaging in open dialogues with people with disabilities to better understand their perspectives. (Please join meetings at Diversity4Success which Sravanthi organizes)
We can always strive to use person-first language, which puts the individual before their disability, reinforcing the notion that they are people first and foremost. For example, instead of saying "a disabled person," we may want say "a person with a disability."
I believe that we should all continue to raise awareness and educate ourselves about ableist language to help foster a more inclusive and understanding society that respects and values the dignity of all its members.
Oh wow! Yes indeed. Person with disability and not using disabled person makes perfect sense. Thank you so much for pointing it out.
DeleteGood one Deepa . As always profound. Yes true we need to be conscious and aware of what we speak. We are making or breaking someone in the process. Will be careful in future to avoid such usage and fin other ways to make it sound more caring. While you gave some examples on how damage is been done by us .. if you could suggest some more alternatives which would be more encouraging will be more effective. Like do use it this way rather that way .. who knows where that will lead us all to .
ReplyDeleteWonderful insights Deepa..We should all be careful in choice of words..as they can impact people in different ways.. Loved the examples you gave and how they may be perceived. Keep up the great work..Keep writing and Inspiring.
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ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this Deepa.
ReplyDeleteIt's a gentle reminder for us to be more mindful of the unintentional use of certain words.
Beautifully articulated write-up.
Keep up the good work.
Thank you for this article, Deepa.
ReplyDeleteI think it's very interesting how the very word "disability" predisposes one's mind to a negative perception. The very word "disability" implies one is unable and focuses immediately upon what one is unable to do instead of what one is able to do. I'd like to see the word disability removed from our vocabulary.
I am Autistic, but because I am also intellectually gifted, I am constantly argued with because I don't fit the perceptions others have about how I should be. I would love to see a world where we focus on the unique traits we all bring to the world--and maybe if we take a person-first approach rather than separatist "disability-first" approach, maybe all of these ableist words can be eliminated.
It is good that a an education is a often necessary for putting the people in right direction where they blindly utter the abliest language as a short cut explain their perspective in describing a person who really non attentive to the conversation.thid will open ones eyes .
ReplyDeleteInteresting. Thank you Deepa for this information
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