Uncovering ableism in everyday language | Valois J. Vera | TEDxTWU

Key Concepts:

• Ableism: Social prejudice and discrimination against disabled people.
• Inspiration Porn: Framing disabled people as objects of inspiration for non-disabled people.
• Eugenics: Beliefs and practices aimed at improving the genetic quality of a population.
• Internalized Ableism: Adoption of negative societal views and prejudices against oneself as a disabled person.
• Lateral Ableism: Bias against other people with disabilities, often overlooking their specific needs.
• Medical Model of Disability: Focus on illness, diagnosis, and treatment.
• Social Model of Disability: Focus on personhood, humanity, and disability rights.
• Cultural Model of Disability: Centers disability identity, culture, and justice principles.
• People First Language: Language that places the person before the disability (e.g., "person with a disability").
• Identity First Language: Language that positions disability as an identity category (e.g., "disabled person").

1. Introduction: The Impact of Words

• The speaker begins by referencing the common phrase "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me," questioning its validity in contemporary society.
• While sticks and stones can cause physical harm, words, once meaningless, now carry significant weight and can inflict emotional pain.
• The speaker, as a visibly disabled person, emphasizes the profound impact of language on individuals, particularly those with disabilities.

2. Personal Experiences with Ableist Language

• The speaker recounts personal experiences with derogatory terms and phrases, including being called "crippled" in elementary school, labeled "lazy" by teachers, and referred to as "handicapped" by college professors.
• Medical professionals used terms like "immobile" or "invalid."
• The speaker highlights the impact of implicit biases, such as a stranger questioning whether his children were his, implying disbelief that a disabled person could be a parent.
  • Example: The speaker's experience of being questioned about his children illustrates how ableist assumptions can manifest in everyday interactions.

3. Defining and Understanding Ableism

• Ableism is defined as social prejudice and discrimination against disabled people, classifying them as inferior to non-disabled individuals.
• Ableism creates a standard of "normal," often manifested in physical barriers (e.g., stairs without elevators) and attitudinal/social barriers.
• Disability is often framed as something to be pitied, less than, or used as "inspiration porn."

4. Ableism as Inspiration Porn and Eugenics

• Inspiration Porn: The speaker critiques the tendency to portray disabled people as objects of inspiration simply for existing with a disability.
  • Example: The speaker suggests that some audience members might expect an "inspiring" message simply because he is disabled.
• Eugenics: Ableism can manifest as eugenics, where disabled people are devalued and considered disposable.
  • Example: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people with disabilities and chronic illnesses were seen as disposable and left to die.
• The speaker references a poem he wrote, "Graves of the Unwell and Other Beautiful Things," in response to the CDC director's statement that 75% of COVID-19 deaths were among people with chronic health issues or disabilities, which she framed as "very good news."

5. Internalized and Lateral Ableism

• Internalized Ableism: Disabled individuals may internalize negative societal views, leading to low self-esteem, self-loathing, and a distorted view of their bodies and minds.
• Lateral Ableism: Bias against other people with disabilities, often overlooking their specific needs.
  • Example: A wheelchair user may focus on physical accessibility (ramps, elevators) while overlooking the communication needs of deaf individuals (sign language interpreters).

6. Antiquated and Stereotypical Language

• The speaker identifies several antiquated and stereotypical terms used to describe disabled people, including "handicapped," "crippled," "mentally challenged," and "special needs."
• "Special needs" is criticized as a term that refers to a program, not a person.
• Other disparaging terms include "idiot," "psycho," and "crazy."

7. Evolution of Identity and Language

• The disability community has undergone an evolution in how it views itself and its language.
• Medical Model: Shifted from the medical model (focus on illness and treatment)
• Social Model: To the social model (focus on personhood and rights)
• Cultural Model: To the cultural model (focus on disability identity, culture, and justice).

8. People First Language vs. Identity First Language

• People First Language: Places the person before the disability (e.g., "person with a disability").
• Identity First Language: Positions disability as an identity category (e.g., "disabled person").
• The speaker notes that both ideologies exist within the disability community.

9. Conclusion

• Ableism will likely persist and continue to impact how people view disability and language.
• The disability community will continue to develop new ideologies and terminology that embody and empower its members.
• The speaker concludes with a poem titled "I Am Not," which rejects common stereotypes and misconceptions about disabled people.

10. Poem: "I Am Not"

• The poem "I Am Not" directly challenges common misconceptions and stereotypes associated with disability.
• It rejects labels such as "suffering with," "bound to," "afflicted with," "handicapped," "poor thing," "poster child," and "less than you."
• The poem asserts the speaker's identity beyond these limiting and often dehumanizing terms.