By Isabella Bullock
Recently, as a professional disabled woman, I have had multiple people comment on how proud they are of me. These are people that I do not know very well, except for one or two encounters in a professional setting. They were not proud of any of my accomplishments, but for the fact that I am disabled and employed full-time. Providing unsolicited or unwarranted praise to disabled people for just living their lives is a form of micro-aggression.
Micro-aggressions are subtle, often unintentional actions or comments that can perpetuate discrimination and inequality. When it comes to disability, micro-aggressions can take many forms, from assuming that all disabled people use wheelchairs to using ableist language like “crazy” or “lame”. While these actions may seem small, they contribute to a larger culture of ableism that can have serious consequences for disabled people.
One common micro-aggression is assuming that all disabled people want or need to be “cured”. While some disabled people may seek medical treatments or accommodations to manage their conditions, others may not view their disabilities as something that needs to be fixed. By assuming that all disabled people want to be cured, we are erasing the diversity of experiences within the disabled community and reinforcing the idea that disability is inherently negative. Instead, people should listen to disabled people’s perspectives on their identities and needs and support them in whatever ways they choose.
Another micro-aggression that disabled people often face is being infantilized or patronized. This can take many forms, from speaking to a disabled person in a slow, exaggerated tone to assuming that they are not capable of making decisions for themselves. By treating disabled people like children, we are being denied our autonomy and agency. Instead, we as disabled people should be treated with the same respect and dignity that would be extended to any other person. This means listening to our ideas and opinions, acknowledging our expertise, and giving us the space to make our own choices.
Finally, it’s important to recognize that micro-aggressions are not just individual actions, but are often reinforced by larger societal systems and structures. For example, the lack of accessibility in public spaces and transportation can be a subtle form of ableism that excludes disabled people from full participation in society. When people fail to consider the needs and perspectives of disabled people in their design and planning processes, they are perpetuating a culture that values non-disabled over disabled. To combat this, disabled people need to be included in all aspects of decision-making and work to create more inclusive and accessible environments that support the full diversity of human experience.
In conclusion, micro-aggressions around disability are harmful and can perpetuate a larger culture of ableism. To combat this, people need to listen to disabled people’s own perspectives and needs, treat us with respect and dignity, and work to create more inclusive and accessible environments. By doing so, we can help to create a world that values and celebrates the full diversity of human experience.