It's #DiversityDictionary Wednesday! Today's word is Ableism. According to lawyer and activist @talilalewis, ableism is a system that places value on people’s bodies and minds based on societally constructed ideas of normalcy, intelligence, excellence and productivity [1/9]

This form of systemic oppression leads to people and society determining who is valuable and worthy based on a person’s appearance and/or their ability to satisfactorily [re]produce, excel and “behave”. (Source: @talilalewis) [2/9]

Institutions such as financial, medical and judicial systems are inherently designed to prioritise lives of those considered non-disabled (or “able-bodied”), while stigmatising, criminalising and marginalising those who are disabled. [3/9]

Another eg: many disabled people have for decades fought for, been denied and lost jobs as a result of needing to work from home with technology for accessibility needs. And YET... [4/9]

...in the context of a global pandemic, many work-from-home and technology adjustment policies that were once said to be impossible by companies are now being widely and effortlessly implemented. [5/9]

Cultural ableism is when representation of disabled people in media is lacking or largely negative. Story lines often write disabled characters to be angry, difficult, a predator, someone who is disabled that is highly accomplished, or that they only want to be “cured”. [6/9]

These types of storylines are all too familiar in the media. They perpetuate negative, harmful stereotypes and creates barriers for social progress for many disability communities. [7/9]

For some who live with disabilities, internalised ableism can have a devastating impact on their lives in every way and lead to the belief that being non-disabled is preferable. [8/9]

For August’s #DiversityDictionary we’ve partnered with @ThisAbilityLtd to share definitions that centre the voices and experiences of disabled people. If you've learned from this thread (and last week's), please do RT and share. #Ableism #Disability #KnowYourBias [9/9]