- Making jokes about a disability as a person without the disability, “helping” someone perceived as disabled without permission, and assuming people with intellectual/learning disabilities are incapable of completing school are just a few examples of ableist microaggressions

University of Virginia, Charlottesville

- Originally coined in response to instances of racism but has since expanded to include sexism, homophobia, ableism, transphobia, and xenophobia 
- There are three proposed types of microaggressions: microinsults (unintended and unrecognized), microassaults (intentional and discriminatory), and microinvalidations (discredits the realties and experiences of people who hold marginalized identities

Origins of Microaggressions

Kattari, S. K. (2020). Ableist microaggressions and the mental health of disabled adults. Community Mental Health Journal, 56(6), 1170–1179. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-020-00615-6 

Ableist Microaggressions and the Mental Health of Disabled Adults Reference

- The valuing of certain traits and abilities over others
- Ableism occurs due to cultural and societal norms and can manifest as ableist language, inaccessible public transport, difficulty in accessing and utilizing services, and the idea that people with disabilities are “brave” simply for living in the world

Ableism

How Ableist Microaggressions Occur

- Microassaults include avoiding particular groups of people, name calling, and the use of slurs. Anything that is done to intentionally hurt someone falls into this category.
- Microinsults include saying or doing something that seems innocuous but is actually very rude: such as “you’re attractive for a (insert disabled identity)” or “you’re very well spoken for a (insert disabled identity)”. These comments are often unrecognized as insultive by the person saying them.
- Microinvalidations take away from a person with a disability’s struggle and experience such as saying their disability isn’t all that bad compared to someone else’s disability or situation in life or implying affirmative action is the only reason a person got their job. This form of ableism is often the most implicit form and thus harder to recognize. 


Learn Before

Related